Oct. 26 (UPI) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continued consultations with the Biden administration during his state visit, attending a luncheon hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of signing a bilateral tech agreement signing Thursday afternoon.
According to the White House the Technology Safeguards Agreement signing scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST will provide the legal and technical framework for U.S. commercial space vehicles to launch from Australia.
The White House said in a statement that the agreement protects sensitive U.S. technology and data in Australia “consistent with our shared nonproliferation goals.”
Blinken will deliver remarks at the signing welcoming the new space-related opportunities and investments in bilateral commercial space launch activities.
While in Washington, Albanese has reiterated the strong bond and decades-old alliance between the two nations as he makes the rounds on Capitol Hill, further cementing the partnership.
During a joint press conference at the White House Wednesday Albanese said: “I regard the United States as a very reliable partner. It’s a relationship of trust.”
Albanese said during that press conference that Australia “unequivocally condemns the terror of Hamas” and added “respect for international humanitarian law is paramount.”
President Joe Biden hosted a state dinner for Albanese and 300 invited guests Wednesday night that the State Department said was to celebrate the “ever-expanding alliance” between the United States and Australia.
The wide-ranging Biden administration discussions with Albanese included enhanced collaboration on clean energy. Australia and the U.S. Department of Energy intend to establish an Australia-U.S. Clean Energy Industry Council to advise the respective governments on clean energy industry development and cooperation according to the White House.
The Biden administration said the Australia-United States Climate, Critical Minerals, and Clean Energy Transformation Compact launched in May is an example of the commitment to enhance climate and clean energy cooperation.
Also on the Albanese state visit agenda were defense and security concerns, particularly in the Pacific but also including Ukraine.
The visit will also help enhance a trilateral defense cooperation with Japan and collaborative combat aircraft cooperation between the U.S. and Australia, according to the White House.
The U.S. and Australia are also working to strengthen a secure supply chain of critical minerals, including materials vital to build batteries and electric vehicles.
