Biden meets with Australian Prime Minister Albanese in Washington

President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speak at the AUKUS bilateral meeting in March 2023 (U.S. Department of Defense)

President Biden met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Washington to discuss national security in the Indo-Pacific on Wednesday, October 25. The United States and Australia form two-thirds of the security pact AUKUS (alongside the United Kingdom), which seeks to “promote deeper information sharing and technology sharing, and foster deeper integration of security and defense-related science, technology, industrial bases and supply chains.” Especially in terms of American initiatives to check Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, Australia has become a critical junction in reinforcing American military operations.

This past March, AUKUS revealed a new deal to equip Australia with American and British nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) to expand its maritime presence in the region, though skepticism from American legislators due to concerns over reduced domestic development have slowed the process. Thus, enhancing and reinforcing this deal can help neutralize Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region, a goal that was at the forefront of Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Washington.

Following recent collisions by Chinese ships on Philippine Coast Guard and resupply ships in the South China Sea, the United States has pledged its support for the Philippines, while Australia appears to be less assertive with its support. President Biden said that the American defense commitment to the Philippines was “ironclad. ”Meanwhile, Albanese promised to “cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, but engage in our national interest.” Still, Biden called Australia an “anchor for peace and prosperity,” as both countries said that they would work together to increase internet connectivity through new undersea cables in Pacific Island countries. This coupled with further improvements in maritime infrastructure can improve economic development in the area. Ultimately, White House press remarks have indicated the goal of ensuring “the Indo-Pacific remains free, open, and prosperous and secure.”