Brett Mason is SBS's chief political correspondent
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he will use the first official visit to the United States by an Australian leader in 13 years to “renew and modernise” the two countries' alliance.
Ahead of his arrival in Washington on Friday morning (AEST), Mr Morrison vowed to “crack open” trade opportunities with Mr Trump and champion “a more open, inclusive, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific”.
“The United States is Australia’s most important ally and strategic partner”, the prime minister told SBS News as he embarks on his four-state, six-day visit.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the United States has no more steadfast friend than Australia. Source: AAP
“Australia and the United States have a mateship that extends back a century, but our focus must be on our future.”
“At this dawn of a second century of mateship, this trip is our opportunity to renew and modernise our alliance.”
Mr Morrison and his wife Jenny left Canberra bound for Washington on Thursday aboard the new KC-30A Royal Australian Air Force jet, dubbed "Shark One" by the PM.
The Morrisons will receive a full ceremonial welcome at Joint Base Andrews when they arrive Friday morning, while the prime minister will meet with Mr Trump later that day.
They will be officially greeted by America’s Ambassador to Australia, Arthur B. Culvahouse Jnr, with full ceremonial honours.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny in Washington. Source: AAP
China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific is expected to dominate a series of discussions between the US president and prime minister.
They're likely to be joined by Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilber Ross, Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Acting National Security Advisor Charles Kupperman, who was appointed nine days ago following John Bolton’s departure from the White House.
“As the president and I have discussed previously, our partnership in the Indo-Pacific and the US’ engagement in the region, has been an important presence for good, for peace and for security,” Mr Morrison said.
“We share an objective of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, where the rights of all sovereign, independent states are respected and where trade, capital and ideas flow freely.”
The US Chamber of Commerce's Patrick Kilbridge told SBS News the profound impact of the United States and Australia's deep strategic and economic relationship should be recognised.
"The US and Australia after WW2 were in large part responsible for helping to build the rules-based multilateral system," he said.
"Around the world, hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty by the internationalisation of trade - it's partly been a sacrifice for the United States and Australia."
The US Chamber of Commerce's Patrick Kilbridge. Source: SBS News
One company already harnessing this strong economic partnership is ScalaMed - a startup that runs an app allowing patients to get prescriptions on their mobile phones.
"ScalaMed's really a way for doctors to electronically prescribe a medicine so that it lands directly on the patient's phone," its Sydney-based CEO Dr Tal Rapke told SBS News.
ScalaMed CEO Dr Tal Rapke. Source: SBS News
He said the company, headquartered in Texas, has identified a demand for its technology in the United State's "overburdened" healthcare system.
"It's a massive market, it has a lot of potential and there's a lot of potential simply because their healthcare system is just so broken," he said.
"But there's a real attitude towards innovation, a real embracing of the innovation and being an Australian company has been really great for us."
ScalaMed is an app that allows patients to access digitial prescriptions. Source: SBS News
Mr Rapke said people can forget the strong economic ties between the US and Australia with so much focus being placed on their defence relationship.
"The US is an incredibly important strategic economic partner of ours ... we are really excited about the opportunity to have a big impact on the US market.”
On his visit, Mr Morrison will remind the US president that Australia has been a reliable ally that “pulls its weight and gets things done” and that the US has benefited from a trade surplus with Australia “since the Truman administration”.
“While China and the United States work through the issues that are casting such a long shadow over the global economy, on the ground I will also take the opportunity to showcase the opportunities and innovations of Australian businesses to grow our $1.6 trillion two-way investment.
“Whether it’s new opportunities for our space agency, locking us into a supply chain, to collaborating with businesses and groups in the United States through to the growth in quality critical minerals and rare earths that our miners export, our trading relationship has been diversifying.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny arrive for a state visit in Washington. Source: AAP
“We’ve got a foot in the door and I want to use this trip to crack it open.”
The trip will culminate with a state dinner hosted by the president and first lady in the White House Rose Garden.
