Media release
19 January 2014
Strengthening the Australia-United States alliance to improve trade and investment opportunities and enhance peace and security in emerging Asia will be the core priority of a visit to the United States this week.
The visit will involve travel to Washington, New York and Chicago and meetings with key government and business partners, including the keynote address to the Alliance 21 flagship conference.
The United States is Australia's largest source of foreign investment with around $617 billion invested in 2012, and our third largest two-way trading partner in goods and services, which in the same year was worth around $56 billion. We work closely on every level, from trade and defence cooperation to education, science and research collaboration.
The focus of the keynote address to the Alliance 21 Conference will be on the emergence of Asia as a major economic and political presence, bringing both positive changes to our region as well as new challenges.
A major theme of an address to the Australian Outlook Luncheon in New York will be the new Government's commitment to 'economic diplomacy' which is exemplified by Australia's commitment to openness in foreign investment, borne out by Government's approval of 130 foreign investment proposals since the election, as well as our economic strengths. There will also be a number of important engagements with US counterparts on important aspects of foreign and security priorities.
A major promotional highlight will involve the Empire State Building lit up in 'Green and Gold' in recognition of our friendship on Australia Day; part of the G'day USA program to promote Australia as a trade and investment partner and tourism destination.