Morrison: Visit lays foundation for another 100 years’ relationship

Arriving in Washington, Scott Morrison set out the importance of the Australian-US alliance in securing a safe and secure Indo-Pacific.

Scott Morrison set out the importance of the Australian-US alliance in securing a safe and secure Indo-Pacific as he arrived in Washington DC for his formal State visit to the United States.

Encapsulating the themes of the trip the Prime Minister said the shared military history with the US was unparalleled.

Mr Morrison said that while the US had “more powerful allies,” there were none as steadfast and sure as Australia.

The PM arrives in Washington. Picture: Instagram.

Mr Morrison said the visit was not only about commemorating the close relationship between the two nations but the future.

“It’s also about laying the foundations for another hundred years and whether it is on our defence relationship, our security relationship, our economic relationship, our partnerships around the world, whether in the Middle-East or closer to home in the Indo-Pacific, all of these things go together to have one of what I think is the best relationships of any two nations anywhere in the world,’’ the Prime Minister said.

G’day USA. The Aussies are here. Wonderful to be here in the land of the free and home of the brave. Special thanks to my friend @realDonaldTrump and the First Lady for their warm invitation and welcome. pic.twitter.com/icu9CMqXfl

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) September 19, 2019

“And so I’m looking forward to spending time with our American friends here over the next few days and celebrating our tremendous relationship.’’

Scott and Jenny Morrison disembark in Washington. Picture: AAP.

Before Mr Morrison touched down, the Trump administration described Australia as an “absolutely essential partner” for the United States in helping maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region at a time of growing strategic uncertainty.

In a powerful endorsement of the US-Australia alliance designed to coincide with Scott Morrison’s arrival in Washington on Friday, the White House praised Australia’s commitment to close military, intelligence and trade links between the two nations.

Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP has arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland U.S. beginning a week long tour. His first stop will be a state dinner with President @realDonaldTrump at the @WhiteHouse. @Riley7News @PaulKadak #auspol #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/tSVBBff2r5

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) September 19, 2019

“The United States partnership and alliance with Australia is one of our strongest and most enduring relationships anywhere in the world,” a senior administration official said. “The purpose of this visit is highlighting the depth and breadth of that relationship.”

MORE: Morrison walks US-China tightrope | Dennis Shanahan writes: PM should emulate Howard | Pomp, pageantry and open arms

In a formal media briefing on the Morrison visit, the official did not mention China despite the fact that the issue will be a central feature of the visit, given the rising tensions between Beijing and other nations in the Asia Pacific including Australia.

Jenny Morrison receives a bouquet. Picture: Instagram. .

Instead he praised Australia’s reliability over the past century as an alliance partner around the world including most recently in the commitment to send Australian military assets to help secure the Strait of Hormuz against Iranian attacks on oil tankers.

“United States and Australian troops have served side-by-side going back to the battle of Hamel in 1918,” he said.

“Australia has been a tremendous partner for the United States as it relates to Iran’s nuclear program and some of the challenges we face with Iran. They recently announced they would conduct patrols with the US in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait.”

Scott and Jenny Morrison listen to Australia and America’s national anthems. Picture: Instagram.

He described other aspects of the alliance as “steadfast” including the intelligence sharing arrangements under the Five Eyes partnership between the US, Australian, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

The official said Donald Trump’s decision to tour Australian billionaire businessman Anthony’s Pratt’s paper recycling plant in Ohio was aimed at highlighting the strength of the economic, trade and investment relationship between the countries.

“What is extraordinary about that is that from a trading standpoint we have both a surplus in good and services with Australia and the foreign direct investment that we are going to be highlighting in Ohio is an example of what this administration’s policies and Australia’s commitment to the alliance is able to produce in the industrial midwest.”

He said the visit would see new agreements between the US and Australia to enhance joint cooperation in space and also a deal to help safeguard global supplies of rare earth and critical minerals.

Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia