Ties between Australia and the US are likely to strengthen after a possibility for a new proposal for military cooperation between the two countries was welcomed by Defence Minister Peter Dutton on Thursday.
According to Sky News, the proposal includes an increased presence of the United States Marines in Australia to boost security along its shores. Dutton said, “I think that is in our own security interest and I think it’s in the interests of the United States as well.”
The proposal comes at a time when trade and diplomatic tension between Australia and China are running high. China’s influence and activities across the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas have been a cause of concern for Australia and its allies, as it destabilises the region and violates international laws. To counter China’s presence and to maintain peace in the region, Dutton called for the reappropriation of military assets in Darwin and welcomed the move to station more US marines.
The strife between Australia and China can be traced to more than a year ago when Canberra called for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus and rebuked China’s delayed response. Australia also abandoned Belt and Road Initiative and restricted China’s involvement in the rollout of 5-G technology. China retaliated by targeting Australian imports and imposing anti-dumping duties on some Australian wine and barley and introducing a number of trade restriction on its copper, beef, timber, lobster, coal, dairy, sugar, wool, fruit, and oatmeal exports as well.
During his first address as Defence Minister to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Dutton emphasised the rapid military build-up in the Indo-Pacific region and the need to prepare for any emergency. He also called for a partnership with Indo-Pacific partners and allies to aid in maintaining peace and prosperity in the region.
The US is one of Australia’s biggest allies with multiple bilateral cooperation and defence agreements in place, including multiple bilateral training of armed forces. Last year, then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper engaged in talks to expand military cooperation in the South China Seas amidst rising tensions between the two countries.
Due to escalating tensions with China, Australia PM Scott Morrison had announced an investment of $747 million for the up-gradation of military facilities in April this year. According to Morrison, increased investments in military facilities would allow greater cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region and allies and enhance their capacity to deal with regional threats.
Australia values US cooperation and friendship in dealing with the threats in the Indo-Pacific region, as China’s influence on the Taiwan Strait and other regions threatens the United States’ position as a global leader. The two countries continue to cooperate on defence and strategic matters and seek to maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia to Get Military Boost With More US Marines on Its Shores
The proposal comes at a time when trade and diplomatic tension between Australia and China are running high.
June 11, 2021
SOURCE: CLEARANCE JOBS