As democratic anchors in the Indo-Pacific, the United States and Australia share an unshakeable commitment to defending freedom and democracy, championing opportunity, upholding human rights, respecting the rule of law, and countering state-sponsored disinformation.
Australia and the United States have a proud history of working together in times of crisis for more than 100 years. Australia and the United States have stood shoulder to shoulder in every major conflict since World War 1. Last year marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Australia, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) Treaty—a keystone of our relationship with Australia and an enduring force for stability in the wider region. The only time the collective defense article of the ANZUS Treaty was formally invoked was after September 11, 2001.
The United States and Australia: Securing a Safe and Prosperous Indo-Pacific
The Quad – the United States, Australia, India, and Japan – is making tangible progress on the Indo-Pacific region’s most important challenges. The Quad Vaccine Partnership is committed to expanding local production of safe and effective doses of COVID-19 vaccines, having already collectively provided over 484 million safe and effective vaccine doses as of February 1, 2022. Australia will focus on vaccine procurement and last-mile delivery support to the region. Quad Partners are joining forces to expand safe, affordable, and effective vaccine production and equitable access to speed economic recovery and benefit global health. At the same time, Quad partners are working with countries around the region to strengthen the region’s maritime security, counter-terrorism, counter-disinformation, and cybersecurity, and humanitarian and disaster relief response, including cooperatively supporting Tonga following the recent volcanic eruptions, ashfall, and tsunami. The Quad will continue to meet regularly to deliver as a force for good for the region.
The United States is committed to deeper and more intensive engagement in the Indo-Pacific for generations to come. AUKUS, the enhanced trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, demonstrates the U.S. commitment to revitalizing our partnerships and strengthening them to take on the challenges of the 21st century. This partnership is especially important given the changing strategic environment in the region. AUKUS will bring together our service members, our scientists, and our industries to maintain and expand our edge in military capabilities and critical technologies. The partnership is about connecting existing U.S. allies and partners in new ways and amplifying our ability to collaborate.
In the wake of the recent Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruptions, ashfall, and tsunami, the United States and Australia are coordinating closely, together with other international partners, to provide immediate help and support on assistance to Tonga. The USS Sampson (DDG 102) supported not only disaster relief efforts but also the Australian Defence Force-led response.
The United States and Australia: A Vital Partnership for the World
Australia and U.S. biotech company Moderna have agreed to build an mRNA vaccine manufacturing and finishing facility in Melbourne, Australia, that will produce as many as 100 million mRNA vaccines a year – increasing the health security of Australia and the region.
Australia is an essential partner in developing emerging technologies, including quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy technologies. Our bilateral collaboration promotes innovative research, enhances economic productivity, and upholds the highest standards for these novel technologies.
We welcome Australia’s work with us and likeminded partners to strengthen the resilience, security, and diversity of key supply chains, including critical minerals needed to fuel the clean energy transition, of which Australia has world-leading reserves. The United States and Australia are working to build robust, responsible supply chains for clean energy minerals and metals through the Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI) and will continue to expand our cooperation bilaterally through the Quad Climate Working Group and other relevant multilateral initiatives.
The United States and Australia share a robust and growing economic relationship. The United States is proud to be the top foreign investor in Australia by far and to be the top destination for Australia’s foreign investment. Deep people-to-people ties also reinforce our shared beliefs and common interests. Tens of thousands of Australian and American students have participated in academic exchange programs.
