The AUSMIN talks in Washington showcased a strengthened US-Australia partnership, with momentum across critical minerals, defense production, and troop rotations as the two allies deepen defense and economic ties.

Australian leaders Penny Wong and Richard Marles met US counterparts to discuss Indo-Pacific security and broader regional issues, including the war in Ukraine and the Gaza ceasefire context.

Washington announced Australia will add about $1 billion to expand US submarine production under AUKUS, building on an initial contribution made earlier this year.

Officials considered a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement to prevent and investigate customs violations, signaling stronger cross-border enforcement cooperation.

GWEO Enterprise outlines a two-year shared pathway for co-producing and co-sustaining missile and ordnance capabilities, targeting integration of systems like Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missiles and AMRAAM by 2026.

There is ongoing ambiguity around the administration’s China policy, with discussions about whether China will feature as a topic in talks and how to frame its rise within a potential G-2 dynamic.

Principals endorsed new joint efforts to promote a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing regional stability, resistance to economic coercion, and collaboration with Quad partners and regional players.

Participants acknowledged global flashpoints, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Gaza situation, as influential in shaping international security.

The talks aimed to counter China’s regional assertiveness, touching on issues in the South China Sea and Taiwan, though some remarks avoided naming China directly.

There was discussion of trusted ICT networks and submarine connectivity, including the Vaka Submarine Cable to Tuvalu, funded jointly by the US and Australia with regional partners.

Security and defense collaboration expanded with trilateral air and missile defense training with Japan, ongoing Maritime Cooperative Activities in the South China Sea, and strengthened financial intelligence sharing through MoUs.

Infrastructure and digital connectivity initiatives were highlighted, such as Southeast Asia and Pacific infrastructure projects, Luzon corridor development, PNG digital infrastructure, and port redevelopment and disaster-management capacity.