ScoMo’s US trip about ‘peace and security’
THE peace and freedom of the Indo-Pacific region will be at the top of Scott Morrison’s agenda as he jets off to Washington for four days of talks set to be dominated by regional security.
Speaking ahead of his departure on Monday, the Prime Minister said the talks were about Australia’s security in an “increasingly uncertain world”.
“This is all about keeping Australians safe. This is all about, always about ensuring that Australia’s sovereign interests will be put first to ensure that Australians here can live peacefully with the many others in our region, because that’s what we desire as a peaceful and free nation,” he said.
“The peace and freedom of all of those who live across the Indo-Pacific. So I look forward to having these engagements.
“They’re very important, as we follow on from the significant announcement we made last week with our American and British friends.”
The whirlwind trip will see Mr Morrison meet with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The week will culminate with the first in-person meeting of the Quad leaders on Friday. The regional group of Australia, the US, India and Japan, who met virtually in March, is expected to announce partnerships in vaccine production and supply.
Leaders are also expected to agree on further areas of cooperation to be worked on over the coming year.
Climate change, trade deals, vaccines and China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific region are expected to be the driving forces behind the week of meetings.
Mr Morrison is set to meet with Mr Biden early on Wednesday morning Australian time. It’s understood the Prime Minister will float the prospect of the US rejoining the Trans Pacific Partnership during the meeting. A meeting with Mr Johnson is expected to follow.
It comes days after Australia signed a landmark security pact between the US and UK to build eight nuclear-powered submarines.
It’s not expected Mr Morrison will make any announcements on climate policy despite efforts by the US and UK to pressure Australia to adopt more robust targets.
Mr Morrison will also address the United Nations General Assembly via a prerecorded virtual speech.