Advancing U.S.-Australia Cooperation in the Pacific
On Wednesday, I joined a roundtable hosted by the Embassy of Australia, alongside Minister for Defence Industry and Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy, Minister-Counsellor Benedict David, and several of my colleagues in Congress. Our discussion focused on how the United States and Australia can work more closely together to support Pacific Island nations and strengthen regional stability. We talked about shared priorities, supporting economic growth, investing in workforce skills, and improving infrastructure across the Pacific. I also raised how Australia’s partnership with Palau and Qantas Airways could serve as a model for expanding air service to the Marianas and other U.S. territories. As island nations and territories, we share not only geography but also values, faith, community, and resilience. Continued U.S.-Australia collaboration is essential to ensuring a secure and prosperous Pacific for all.