Washington: When Donald Trump tweeted congratulations to Scott Morrison on his election victory the US President was not just being polite: he was privately delighted that he would not have to build a relationship with his third Australian prime minister.

Washington sources have told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald that Trump was baffled by the Liberal Party's decision to remove Malcolm Turnbull last August, and found it bizarre that a country could have three prime ministers within a year.

Scott Morrison and Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last November. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Trump places high importance on his personal chemistry with fellow leaders, even if they represent a long-standing US ally such as Canada, the UK or Australia.

Morrison's election increases the chance that Trump will make his first visit to Australia this year, most likely to coincide with the President's Cup golf tournament in Melbourne in December.