At a moment of bitter division in the United States, Australia has produced a ray of bipartisan sunshine in Washington. Startled by the rapid deterioration of Australia’s relations with China, and outraged by a faked tweet sent by Beijing’s foreign policy spokesman, Republicans and Democrats are singing a rare note of agreement.

The State Department has emphasised that America will “stand with our Australian partners in calling out” the Chinese foreign ministry “for spreading disinformation”. Jake Sullivan, President-elect Joe Biden’s national security adviser, tweeted that “America will stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Australia”. These days, agreement between the outgoing and incoming administrations is about as common as the black-flanked rock-wallaby.