Annual Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in Annapolis, Maryland, USA, August 6, 2024. (Source: Reuters)

As the premier strategic forum between the two countries, AUSMIN guides the development of the US-Australia alliance and partnership to build an Indo-Pacific region that Washington and Canberra describe as “peaceful, stable and prosperous”.

In that direction, the US-Australia relationship is increasingly expanding to many areas, from economics, defense, to climate change, clean energy, space, important minerals, etc. The space for cooperation is spread throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Although not stated directly, everyone understands that the increasingly close relationship between Washington and Canberra is aimed at containing China. To prevent the rise of Beijing, the US seeks to link up with its allies and Australia is an important regional partner, especially in the field of defense and security.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the US is willing to share technology to build eight nuclear-powered submarines for Australia through the Trilateral Security Arrangement (AUKUS) including the US, UK and Australia.

With the results achieved at AUSMIN 34, US-Australia cooperation has been pushed to a higher level. First of all, the US will increase the presence of aircraft, especially bombers, in Australia. A facility to house six US B-52 strategic bombers will be built at Tindal Air Force Base in northern Australia.

The US has also granted Australia a license to manufacture the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), with the first deliveries to be made in 2025. Previously, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on “production, maintenance and development” of precision strike missiles (PrSM) in December last year.

With these deterrence tools, the US and its allies in the Pacific are “sharing the burden” in containing China.