Prime Minister Kevin Rudd discussed the global economic crisis and the need for coordinated action in a phone conversation this morning with new US President Barack Obama.









It is the first time the two leaders have spoken since Mr Obama's inauguration last week.

Mr Obama telephoned Mr Rudd early today and the two discussed a range of areas, but the issue of whether the US would request that Australia provide more troops in Afghanistan was not raised, a spokeswoman said.

She said the pair discussed the global recession and the need for coordinated action through effective fiscal stimulus during a 25-minute conversation.