US-Australia ties not under threat: Howard

Former prime minister John Howard believes the American-Australia security pact won't come under any existential threat.

Former prime minister John Howard predicts Australia's security pact with America will survive whoever wins the November US presidential election.

"I don't think it will come under any existential threat," Mr Howard told the National Press Club on Wednesday, adding he couldn't see a future Australian or US government pulling out of the ANZUS treaty because the relationship was based on common values.

His views are at odds with Australia's former ambassador to the US Kim Beazley, who fears a Donald Trump presidential win would trash relations between the countries.