Trump to go along for ride on Morrison’s paper mill visit

Donald Trump will join Scott Morrison on a visit to Pratt Industries’ new paper recycling mill in Ohio next week.

Scott Morrison and Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Biarritz last month. Picture: Adam Taylor / PMO

Donald Trump will join Scott Morrison on a visit to Pratt Industries’ new paper recycling mill in Ohio next week, further boosting the significance of the Prime Minister’s visit.

The White House said the visit “will demonstrate the strong trade and investment relationship ­between the United States and Australia and President Trump’s successful efforts to restore the United States as the world’s leading destination for foreign direct investment”.

Ahead of his ­departure from Australia on Thursday, Mr Morrison said it was an “honour” to ­accept Mr Trump’s invitation for a state dinner at the White House. “We see the world through the same eyes, with shared values and a deep commitment to promoting peace, liberty and prosperity,” Mr Morrison said.

The executive chairman of Pratt Industries, Anthony Pratt, is close to the President and his willingness to invest in US manufacturing and jobs has previously been welcomed by Mr Trump.

Pratt Industries, a major player in the US corrugated packaging industry, has built a major new paper mill and box facility in ­Wapakoneta, Ohio. Mr Morrison will travel to the mill from Washington on Sunday before touring the facility with the President and then continuing on to Chicago for business events.

Mr Pratt told The Australian on Monday: “I’m extremely honoured that the President of the United States and Prime Minister of Australia are coming to visit our Ohio paper mill.

“I made a pledge to President Trump in 2017 that we would ­invest an additional $2bn in America in the ensuing decade to create another 5000 high-paying American manufacturing jobs, mainly in the Midwest. This mill is our largest ever investment in America and will produce 400,000 tons of paper a year.”

Mr Pratt famously bet $100,000 on Mr Trump to win the 2016 US election after watching the third presidential debate in October 2016, and has since gone on to build mills and factories in the rustbelt states that swung to Mr Trump.

The Australian billionaire is a member of Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, as is ­Gina Rinehart.

Mr Morrison will also visit NASA headquarters to “welcome greater US-Australia co-operation on space and other cutting-edge science and technology initiatives”.

The Prime Minister will then travel to New York for meetings during leaders’ week at the UN general assembly.

Mr Morrison said he would use his UN visit to advance Australia’s interests in the protection of the oceans and preventing terrorist use of the internet.

In addition to the state dinner, Mr Morrison will be given a ceremonial welcome at the White House on Friday morning (US time) complete with marching bands.