The White House said the US and Australia will promote trilateral defense cooperation with Japan, including on unmanned aircraft systems: “Our cooperation will enhance interoperability and accelerate technology transfer in the area of combat aircraft...”.
US President Joe Biden (right) speaks during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday at the White House. Photo: Bloomberg
In addition, Australia will participate for the first time in two US-Japan military exercises, Exercise Yama Sakura later this year and Keen Edge next year, both of which will take place in Japan.
The announcement came as Mr Biden and Prime Minister Albanese, who is on a state visit to Washington this week, held a joint press conference at the White House on Wednesday.
At the press conference, Biden said he was “confident” the US Congress would approve the funding needed to build the nuclear-powered submarines the US has committed to Australia as part of the Aukus agreement.
Concerns about funding were raised during Albanese’s trip. “I’m confident that we’ll be able to get the money for Aukus, because it’s absolutely in our best interest,” Biden said.
At the meeting, Mr. Biden recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping asked him if the submarine deal was “trying to blockade China.” “I said no, we’re not blockade China. We’re just making sure the sea lanes stay open,” Mr. Biden said.
During the state visit, Australia and the United States also said they would strengthen cooperation on a range of issues, including advanced technology and climate. In addition, the two countries will support infrastructure for Pacific island nations, investing $65 million in undersea cables to improve connectivity between countries.
In recent years, the US has gradually increased cooperation with Pacific island nations amid fierce competition with China in the region.
President Biden said the alliance between Australia and the US was an “anchor” for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Mr Albanese said he looked forward to a “constructive” dialogue during his visit to China next month.
Mai Anh (according to Bloomberg, SCMP)
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