Allies talk of China, Russia and trade
SCOTT Morrison has held historic talks with US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, bringing together three wartime allies to discuss escalating instability in the IndoPacific and the need to work more closely in response to regional and global threats.
The Prime Minister’s most important bilateral meeting of the G7 summit was expanded to include Mr Biden and Mr Johnson, with Australia, the US and Britain discussing enhanced collaboration in strategic, defence, infrastructure and critical supply chain initiatives.
The talks ran for up to 45 minutes after originally being slated for 20 minutes.
Mr Morrison and Mr Biden walked to the G7 family photo after the meeting.
The Indo-Pacific step-up, Beijing’s economic coercion of countries, including Australia, and increasing disinformation and cyber campaigns linked to China and Russia have been key issues at the G7-plus leaders’ summit in the Cornish seaside resort village of Carbis Bay.
Following the AustraliaUS-UK meeting, Mr Morrison described the talks as a “unique opportunity for a trilateral meeting”.
“That is not a usual opportunity that we’ve had at these events in the past,” he said.
“Australia has no greater friends than the United States and the United Kingdom.”
He said Australia’s handling of the Chinese economic relationship was based on being “consistent”.
“We are for a stable and peaceful and open IndoPacific. That’s in everybody’s interests. It’s in Australia’s interests, it’s in China’s interests. And for the free trade that can occur throughout the region,” he said.
Mr Morrison said Australia’s alliance with the US and UK had “never been stronger”.
“It was a meeting of great friends and allies who share a view on the world. It was a great opportunity for my first meeting, of course, with the President. I’ve known Boris for many years,” he said.
“And there was a very easy understanding among the three of us. As liberal democracies with a great history of friendship and partnership and a shared view on the world and its challenges, and strategic challenges at that. We are very conscious of the environment we face but whatever that environment is we’ll always face it together.”
Mr Johnson, who will hold one-on-one talks at Downing Street with Mr Morrison on Tuesday, has dramatically ramped up Britain’s military presence in the Indo-Pacific, including sending a naval carrier strike group led by aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth on a 28-week maiden voyage in the region.