The White House will become a sea of yellow roses and wattle over the next day as US President Donald Trump prepares to honour Scott Morrison.
The prime minister arrived in the United States on Thursday evening ready to celebrate the centenary of the alliance between the two nations.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks after arriving at Andrews Airforce Base. Source: AAP
The red carpet was rolled out at the US military's Joint Base Andrews when the new Australian prime ministerial plane touched down.
Mr Morrison and wife Jenny were greeted by US Chief of Protocol Cam Henderson with an Air Force guard of honour and band playing the national anthems Advance Australia Fair and the Star-Spangled Banner.
"There are no two anthems that you'll hear anywhere in the world when played together that talk (more) about freedom and liberty and all the things we hold dear as Australians," Mr Morrison told reporters.
He was also greeted by Australia's ambassador to the US Joe Hockey, Washington's man in Canberra Arthur Culvahouse and a small group of people waving Australian flags.
Mr Morrison will have a packed day on Friday in the US with top-level meetings at the White House, starting with a one-on-one with President Trump before being joined by most of the US cabinet.
A table is set as a military band plays ahead of the state dinner. Source: AP
It's anticipated their conversation topics will include Australia's plans to join the US and UK in freedom of navigation exercises in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran and ongoing trade tensions between the US and China.
Mr Morrison said the trade issue was casting a "long shadow over the global economy".
A senior Trump administration official describes Australia as "an absolutely essential partner" in Mr Trump's "free and open Indo-Pacific vision".
"This visit is designed to highlight some of that cooperation," the official said.
Mr Morrison is also keen to underscore Australia's role as a reliable ally who pulls its weight.
"Americans know they have no better ally - no better friend - than Australia," he said before his arrival.
The set table ahead of the state dinner between the US president and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: AP
On the ground, Mr Morrison referred to the century-long alliance, noting he had been advised years ago the best way to celebrate anniversaries was not by marking the years but by investing in and tending relationships.
"There are many larger, I suppose, more powerful friends that America has, but they know that they do not have a more sure and steadfast friend than Australia," he said.
Meanwhile, at the White House, First Lady Melania Trump's staff were busy with preparations for Friday's state dinner, just the second, the administration has hosted in honour of a foreign leader.
Mrs Trump has chosen to deck the Rose Garden with green and gold, with yellow garden roses, wattle and golden champagne grapes decorating the tables.
The 100 or so guests will dine from china settings commissioned by Bill Clinton and George W Bush.
The menu of sunchoke ravioli, Dover sole with fennel mousseline, and Lady Apple tart was chosen to "pay homage to Australia's special blend of culinary adaptations from its various cultures, not unlike the diverse food traditions of the United States", a spokesperson for Mrs Trump said.
Mr Hockey said the First Lady had a deep affection for Australia and was keen to visit soon.
"We're in the good books," he told ABC radio.
Mr Morrison's visit will include the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Australia's assistance in the US mission to return to the moon by 2024, cooperation on areas of mutual interest like automation and robotics, and a joint plan on rare earth materials and other critical minerals.
The White House will become a sea of yellow roses and wattle over the next day as US President Donald Trump prepares to honour Scott Morrison.
The prime minister arrived in the United States on Thursday evening ready to celebrate the centenary of the alliance between the two nations.
The red carpet was rolled out at the US military's Joint Base Andrews when the new Australian prime ministerial plane touched down.
Mr Morrison and wife Jenny were greeted by US Chief of Protocol Cam Henderson with an Air Force guard of honour and band playing the national anthems Advance Australia Fair and the Star-Spangled Banner.
"There are no two anthems that you'll hear anywhere in the world when played together that talk (more) about freedom and liberty and all the things we hold dear as Australians," Mr Morrison told reporters.
He was also greeted by Australia's ambassador to the US Joe Hockey, Washington's man in Canberra Arthur Culvahouse and a small group of people waving Australian flags.
Members of a US military string band play along the West Wing Colonnade. Source: EPA
Mr Morrison will have a packed day on Friday in the US with top-level meetings at the White House, starting with a one-on-one with President Trump before being joined by most of the US cabinet.
It's anticipated their conversation topics will include Australia's plans to join the US and UK in freedom of navigation exercises in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran and ongoing trade tensions between the US and China.
Mr Morrison said the trade issue was casting a "long shadow over the global economy".
A senior Trump administration official describes Australia as "an absolutely essential partner" in Mr Trump's "free and open Indo-Pacific vision".
"This visit is designed to highlight some of that cooperation," the official said.
Mr Morrison is also keen to underscore Australia's role as a reliable ally who pulls its weight.
"Americans know they have no better ally - no better friend - than Australia," he said before his arrival.
On the ground, Mr Morrison referred to the century-long alliance, noting he had been advised years ago the best way to celebrate anniversaries was not by marking the years but by investing in and tending relationships.
"There are many larger, I suppose, more powerful friends that America has, but they know that they do not have a more sure and steadfast friend than Australia," he said.
Meanwhile, at the White House, First Lady Melania Trump's staff were busy with preparations for Friday's state dinner, just the second, the administration has hosted in honour of a foreign leader.
Mrs Trump has chosen to deck the Rose Garden with green and gold, with yellow garden roses, wattle and golden champagne grapes decorating the tables.
The 100 or so guests will dine from china settings commissioned by Bill Clinton and George W Bush.
The menu of sunchoke ravioli, Dover sole with fennel mousseline and Lady Apple tart was chosen to "pay homage to Australia's special blend of culinary adaptations from its various cultures, not unlike the diverse food traditions of the United States", a spokesperson for Mrs Trump said.
Mr Hockey said the First Lady had a deep affection for Australia and was keen to visit soon.
"We're in the good books," he told ABC radio.
Mr Morrison's visit will include the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Australia's assistance in the US mission to return to the moon by 2024, cooperation on areas of mutual interest like automation and robotics, and a joint plan on rare earth materials and other critical minerals.
With AAP...
