US President Joe Biden warmly welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the latter’s visit to the White House this week.
Both leaders held a joint press conference where they addressed various international issues such as ambitions to boost funding and production of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement.
In his opening remarks, Biden declared the nation’s support for Israel and reiterated that Hamas does not represent the vast majority of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and anywhere else.
He also thanked Albanese for the historic investments Australia had made in the submarine industry of the United States through the AUKUS agreement.
The trilateral security pact worth $368-B will pave the way for the United States to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the coming years in partnership with the United Kingdom.
It will also make Australia one of only seven countries that operate nuclear-powered submarines and the second country to use the military vessel using the US technology.
“I want to thank you Prime Minister for the historic investments Australia has made to strengthen the submarine industry and (military) base as well. Democrats and Republicans alike understand the strategic value AUKUS brings to our nations and I urge Congress to pass the AUKUS legislation this year,” according to Joe Biden, President of the United States.
Biden later told reporters that he had requested $3.4-B in supplemental funds in Congress last week to boost submarine production.
Meanwhile, Albanese expressed his appreciation for Washington’s efforts to pass the AUKUS legislation before the end of the year to allow for the exchange of top-secret military technology between Australia and its closest ally.
The Australian leader announced an additional $15-M in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, bringing the country’s total aid to $25-M.
“Today I announce that Australia will provide an additional $15 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza. This adds to the $10 million Australia has already committed and will help deliver life-saving assistance such as emergency water and medical services,” Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, said.
Both leaders discussed partnerships in sectors of cybersecurity, space technology, and artificial intelligence, as well as the construction of submarine cable infrastructure in the Pacific region, to name a few.
Albanese also declared the creation of a new Critical Minerals Task Force, a joint venture between the two countries launched earlier this year, as part of Australia’s ambitions to become a renewable energy superpower.
The meeting with Biden took place ahead of Albanese’s planned visit to China next month.
The United States reaffirmed its strong ties with Australia at a time when Canberra is starting to ease trade tensions with Beijing.
Both China and the U.S. seek stronger ties with Pacific Nations amid the race for greater influence in the region.
