Damon Mcknight
Australia and the United States have a strong relationship, with cultural similarities and robust bilateral arrangements. The two countries first established diplomatic relations in 1940, and have been allies in several wars, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War. The ANZUS Treaty, signed in 1951, is a central pillar of their relationship, binding them to consult on mutual threats and act against common dangers. Australia has also been a strong supporter of the United States in the War on Terror, invoking the ANZUS Treaty for the first time in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. The two countries have strong cooperation in various areas, including foreign policy, defence, security, intelligence, development, energy, environment, education, law, trade, and investment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formal Alliance | Australia and the US do not have a formal treaty that constitutes an alliance. However, they are part of ANZUS, a non-binding alliance. |
| Military Cooperation | Close cooperation with shared history and values. Joint military exercises and operations, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. |
| Intelligence Sharing | Members of the Five Eyes alliance, an agreement for joint cooperation in intelligence matters. |
| Trade Relations | Strong trade relationship, with the US being Australia's third-largest trading partner in 2022. |
| Political Relations | Generally strong and friendly political relations, with some differences in opinion on certain global issues. |
| Strategic Partnership | The US and Australia have a comprehensive strategic partnership, with a shared interest in the Indo-Pacific region. |
| Mutual Defense Pact | While there is no formal mutual defense pact, the US and Australia have a long history of supporting each other in times of conflict. |
| Economic Cooperation | Close economic ties with shared interests in the Asia-Pacific region. |
| Cultural Relations | Close cultural ties with a history of people-to-people links and shared values. |
| Diplomatic Relations | Both countries maintain embassies in each other's capitals and have close diplomatic relations. |
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What You'll Learn
The ANZUS Treaty
ANZUS was signed in the context of the Korean War, in which Australia and New Zealand committed troops through the UN and alongside NATO allies, demonstrating their concern over the threat of communism in the region. The US decision to seek a peace treaty with Japan caused suspicion in the South Pacific, and the US was keen to develop a security treaty to gain Antipodean support for the final peace agreement.
The ANZUS alliance has experienced some difficulties over the years. Australia has sometimes been disappointed by the minimal support received from the US, especially during the Konfrontasi conflict in Indonesia and Malaysia in the early 1960s. The treaty's relevance in a post-Cold War world has also been questioned. In addition, since the early 1980s, the US has effectively absolved itself of any obligation to New Zealand due to the latter's refusal to allow US nuclear-powered warships into its ports. New Zealand was suspended from ANZUS in 1986 but resumed key areas of the treaty in 2007, and the two countries have since reestablished bilateral cooperation on defence and security.
Despite these challenges, the ANZUS Treaty remains in force between the US and Australia, with the two countries maintaining a strong relationship. The treaty has only been formally invoked once, by Australia in 2001, in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, leading to Australia's involvement in the US-led 'War on Terror'. Australia has also been involved in other US-led causes such as the Vietnam War, which, while not formalised under ANZUS, have been linked to the treaty. Australia and the US conduct a variety of joint activities, including military exercises, intelligence sharing, and the operation of joint-defence facilities in Australia.
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Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA)
The Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) is a preferential trade agreement between Australia and the United States. The AUSFTA was signed on May 18, 2004, and came into effect on January 1, 2005. The agreement is divided into 23 sections and is modelled on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The AUSFTA has eliminated tariffs that averaged 4.3% on over 97% of Australia's non-agricultural exports to the US and three-quarters of agricultural tariff lines. It has also opened markets for services such as life insurance and express delivery, and improved protection of intellectual property. For example, the minimum term of copyright was extended to 70 years after the author's death. The agreement has also helped facilitate American investments through predictable access and a stable business environment.
The AUSFTA provides for a Joint Committee to meet annually to supervise the implementation of the agreement and review the trade relationship between the parties. The United States monitors the implementation of the agreement closely and meets regularly with Australia to discuss the functioning of the agreement and address specific trade issues.
Since the AUSFTA came into effect, two-way trade has grown by 138%, from $32 billion to $77 billion. The United States is the largest and most significant investor in Australia, with investments totalling $929 billion in 2020 and over $1 trillion in 2023. Australia's largest exports to the US include financial services, gold, sheep/goat meat, transportation services, and vaccines. US companies employ approximately 150,000 people in Australia, with notable investors including Woodside, Westfield, and Rio Tinto.
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World War I Allies
Australia and the United States have been allies in several wars, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror. Both countries have also been part of a Western alliance of states in various wars.
During World War I, Australia fought as part of the British Empire. When Britain declared war on the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire) in 1914, Australia immediately joined the Allies (the British, French, Russian, and Japanese empires). The United States joined the war in 1917 as an "associated power" rather than an official ally. The US did not fully commit to the Allied cause until April 1917, focusing on building up its industrial war machine and recruiting troops to be sent to Europe. By July 1918, there were around a million American soldiers in France, with more arriving daily.
The Battle of Hamel on July 4, 1918, was a significant engagement that marked the birth of the US-Australia military alliance. Australian infantry, including four companies of the American 33rd Division, attacked German forces in the town of Hamel. They were supported by aircraft and tanks and moved forward under the protection of a "creeping barrage" of artillery fire. This battle demonstrated the effectiveness of short, sharp attacks from mutually supporting Allied armies, as well as the combined use of infantry, artillery, tanks, and aircraft.
Australia's contributions to World War I extended beyond the Western Front. Australian troops fought in the Middle East, taking part in campaigns in the Sinai Desert, Palestine, and Gallipoli. The Australian Light Horse and the Imperial Camel Corps endured harsh conditions, including extreme heat, rugged terrain, and water shortages, while fighting against the Ottoman Empire. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN), under the command of the British Royal Navy, also made significant contributions in the early stages of the war.
In summary, Australia and the United States were allies during World War I, with their troops fighting alongside each other in significant battles such as Hamel. Australia's involvement in the war extended beyond Europe, as they also played a crucial role in the Middle Eastern campaigns against the Ottoman Empire.
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Intelligence sharing
Australia and the United States have had a strong relationship since World War I, when both countries fought with the Allied Powers. This relationship has spanned foreign policy, defence, security, intelligence, development, energy, environment, education, law, trade, and investment.
The ANZUS Treaty, signed in 1951, further strengthened the intelligence-sharing partnership between Australia and the United States. The treaty binds both countries to consult on mutual threats and take action against common dangers. This has been invoked on rare occasions, such as after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which led to the invasion of Afghanistan.
In addition to the ANZUS Treaty, the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) provide a regular forum for foreign and defence ministers from both countries to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest, including intelligence sharing.
The intelligence-sharing relationship between Australia and the United States has also extended to joint efforts against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Both countries are committed to evolving their alliance in response to the changing security landscape, with a focus on advancing shared interests in cybersecurity and international norms in the sea, air, and outer space.
Australia and the United States have also collaborated on scientific research, with nearly 40,000 joint scientific publications between 2010 and 2014, and the US is Australia's largest research collaborator. This collaboration has contributed to the intelligence-sharing partnership by generating new knowledge and advancing mutual understanding in various fields.
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Academic collaboration
Australia and the United States have a long history of academic collaboration. The two countries have nearly 1,000 formal collaborations between their universities, and each year, thousands of students from each country study in the other. These exchanges develop personal and professional relationships that underpin the intellectual and scientific collaboration between the two nations.
The Fulbright Program, which has facilitated the exchange of more than 5,000 Australians and Americans, is one example of a program that supports these exchanges. The Endeavour Leadership Program is another initiative that provides opportunities for high-achieving students from both countries to increase their knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.
Australian and US researchers collaborate on a range of projects, including joint spacecraft-tracking initiatives and deep-sea dives, as well as the pursuit of cures for devastating diseases and the development of new technologies. The Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) are two key funding agencies that support international research collaboration. The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme also supports industry-led collaborative research partnerships, with dozens of participating organizations, including universities, research institutions, businesses, and governments.
The American Australian Association (AAA), based in New York City, is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening cooperation and understanding between the institutions and people of the two countries. The Center for Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Studies (CANZPS) at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and the Australian and New Zealand Studies program at the University of Texas at Austin are also academic institutions that contribute to the collaboration between the two countries.
The Australia-United States bilateral relationship is supported by a number of organizations that seek to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties across various sectors, including education, science, and research. These collaborations have fostered a strong relationship between the two countries, characterized by cultural similarities and robust bilateral arrangements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the United States and Australia are allies. The two countries have had a strong relationship since World War I, and their alliance is underpinned by cultural similarities and robust bilateral arrangements.
The ANZUS Treaty is a central pillar of the relationship between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Signed in 1951, the treaty binds the countries to consult on mutual threats and act to meet common dangers.
The Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations are held between foreign and defence ministers of the two countries on a regular basis.
