Asked by xi jinping a couple of years ago why i was working so hard with your country. And i said, because were a pacific nation. he looked at me, and i said, yeah, were a pacific nation the United States. we are, and were going to stay that way. So, thank you. Thank you, everyone. Prime minister albanese absolutely. Thank you. [crosstalk by reporters] mr. President , on israel, will you respond to attacks on u. S. Troops in the region . Will you respond to attacks on u. S. Troops in the region, mr. President . President biden whoa, whoa, whoa well, youre going to get were going to have a press conference after this. Well be able to answer your questions. Thank you. President biden and the Prime Minister of australia reaffirmed their commitment to their alliance and discussed shared priorities for their countries. They also commented on the israelhamas war and security in the indo pacific region. This is just over 25 minutes. President biden the sun is over there. I dont need these. [laughter. ] hello, folks. Mr. Prime minister, weve been in close touch since the moment you came into office please, sit down; im sorry since you came into office, and weve met all around the world. And now its wonderful to have you by my side here at the white house and as we advance our Alliance Even more more than its already been advanced. Its strong now; its getting stronger. Before i get to the progress australia and the United States have made today, i want to say just a very few words about the situation in the middle east. The anger, the hurt, the sense of outrage that the israeli people are feeling after the brutally inflicted devastation by hamas is completely understandable. Israel has the right and, i would add, responsibility to respond to the slaughter of their people. And we will ensure israel has what it needs to defend itself against these terrorists. Thats a guarantee. We also have to remember that hamas does not represent let me say it again hamas does not represent the vast majority of the Palestinian People in the gaza strip or anywhere else. Hamas is hiding behind Palestinian Civilians, and its despicable and, not surprisingly, cowardly as well. This also puts an added burden on israel while they go after hamas. But that does not lessen the need for to operate and align with the laws of war for israeli it has to do everything in its power israel has to do everything in its power, as difficult as it is, to protect innocent civilians. And its difficult. I want to thank the israelis and the palestinian excuse me, and president sisi of egypt for working with the United States to make sure that food, water, and medical supplies are getting through to innocent people in gaza. The flow needs to increase, and were working very hard with our partners to make that happen. Were also working around the clock, together with our partners in the in the region, to secure the release of hostages and including american citizens behind left behind and held by hamas and the safe passage of foreign nationals out of gaza not just americans, but australians and a whole range of people who are trapped in gaza. I also want take a moment to look ahead toward the future that we seek. Israelis and palestinians equally deserve to live side by side in safety, dignity, and peace. And theres no going back to the status quo as it stood on october the 6th. That means ensuring hamas can no longer terrorize israel and use Palestinian Civilians as human shields. It also means that when this crisis is over, there has to be a vision of what comes next. And in our view, it has to be a twostate solution. It means a concentrated effort from all the parties israelis, palestinians, regional partners, Global Leaders to put us on a path toward peace. In the past few weeks, ive spoken with leaders throughout the region including King Abdullah of jordan, president sisi of egypt, president abbas of the palestinian authority, and just yesterday with the crown prince of saudi arabia about making sure theres real hope in the region for a Better Future; about the need and i mean this sincerely about the need to work toward a greater integration for israel while insisting that the aspirations of the Palestinian People will be part of that future as well. Im convinced one of the reasons hamas attacked when they did and i have no proof of this; just my instinct tells me is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for israel and regional integration overall. And we cant leave that work behind. And one more word on this. I continue to be alarmed about extremist settlers attacking palestinians in the west bank that pouring gasoline on fire is what its like. They this was the deal. The deal was made, and theyre attacking palestinians in places that theyre entitled to be, and it has to stop. They have to be held accountable. And it has to stop now. Mr. Prime minister, i want to thank you for your partnership and your friendship, quite frankly, during this difficult hour. Over the past few weeks and for many months before, weve seen each other and weve seen our Alliance Grow more critical than ever. And we need to continue to make this important progress. In our discussions today, weve done just that. First, were pioneering new advancements in innovation that is deepening our cooperation in fields like biotechnology, advanced batteries, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and a lot more. Were also signing a new Technology Safeguards agreement to create more opportunities for American Space companies to launch vehicles from australia. And weve launched a new Artificial Intelligence initiative between our National Laboratories to drive revolutionary and responsible research on humanitys Biggest Challenges fighting hunger, curbing pandemics, predicting natural disasters, and ending cancer as we know it as a matter of a fact, both of our wives are over at the Cancer Institute right now and so much more. Second, were accelerating action on Climate Change. I thought we had a very good meeting this morning and with secretary kerry and your team, and were all together on that. In may, we established the climate, Critical Minerals, and Clean Energy Compact to elevate our climate cooperation alongside our defense and economic cooperation, and were already beginning to see the impacts. Weve created a Critical Minerals taskforce to build secure Critical Minerals supply chains. Were also investing in sustainable infrastructure in the pacific islands, including 65 million for a subsea communication cable to boost connectivity in the region. And were modernizing funding for small and mediumsized businesses across the indopacific to help to help the transition to clean energy. And finally, the alliance between australia and the United States is an anchor and i believe this with every fiber of my being an anchor to peace and prosperity in the indopacific and, quite frankly, around the world. We see this through our work of the Quad Partners india and japan to ensure the indopacific remains free, open, prosperous, and secure. I also see it through aukus, where, together with the United Kingdom, were making a generational investments in our shared security. Last week, i sent congress a budget request with commitments to boost our submarine production and maintenance capacity here in the United States. And i want to thank you, mr. Prime minister, for the historic Investments Australia has made to strengthen the submarine Industry Base as well. Democrats and republicans alike understand the Strategic Value aukus brings to our nations, and i urge congress to pass our aukus legislation this year. We also see the strength of our alliance in our unwavering support for ukraine both countries as it defends its sovereignty against putins brutality and aggression. Australia is a critical partner together with the United States and 50 other nations 50 other nations weve been able to put together all doing our part to support ukraine. And i want to thank you, mr. Prime minister, for the new package of military aid you recently announced, and its for ukraine. Look, australia and the United States also share, in my view, the commitment to upholding the International Rules of the road, including freedom of navigation. Just this past week, the prc vessels acted dangerously and unlawfully as our philippine friends conducted a routine resupply mission within their own exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea. I want to be clear i want to be very clear the United States defense commitment to the philippines is ironclad. The United StatesDefense Agreement to the philippines is ironclad. Any attack on the filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke our mutual defense treaty with the philippines. And, mr. Prime minister, today we renewed our commitment to defend the values that are at the heart of this alliance, and we continue to stand as one to forge a Better Future for both of us and all the region. So i want to thank you, again for being here. Thank you for your partnership and your leadership in this critical moment. And id like to now turn it over to you. Prime minister albanese well, thank you very much, mr. President. Australia and the United States have stood together for more than a century. And it is indeed a great honor for me to stand alongside my friend, President Biden, here today. At the heart of our alliance, the enduring values that our people hold in common are faith in freedom and democracy, a belief in opportunity, a determination to build a more prosperous and more peaceful world. Those values are timeless, and they have never mattered more than right now. Thats why the relationship between australia and the United States has never been more important. And it, of course it has never been stronger than it is right now. We Work Together to promote peace and security across the indopacific, to uphold the stability which has generated unprecedented Economic Opportunity for the nations and the people of our region. For australia, this is about investing in our capability and investing in our relationships. Today, President Biden and i discussed the progress being made on australias acquisition of nuclearpowered, conventionally armed submarines, which we announced with Prime Minister rishi sunak in march in san diego. We are conscious that this is only the second time in history that the United States has shared this technology. And this fact speaks to the deep trust of our alliance and the significance of the challenge that we face together. Australia appreciates the administrations efforts to operationalize aukus and work with congress to pass the legislation needed to realize our aukus ambitions. And i certainly appreciate, once again, mr. President , your call for this legislation to be passed this year. Aukus will drive innovation and cooperation to provide the United States, australia, and the United Kingdom with improved capability to help secure peace and stability in the indopacific. Our cooperation is already unlocking transformative opportunities for jobs and skills and research, from virginia to South Australia to western australia. Australia and the u. S. Have a strong and growing partnership in new technology, from medical research to ai. And i join President Biden in welcoming microsofts 5 billion additional investment in australia, which we announced this week here in washington. The president and i agree that innovation is vital to addressing the environmental challenge of Climate Change and seizing the Economic Opportunities of clean energy. The climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation compact that we signed in may in hiroshima is very much central to this. Climate change and clean Energy Becomes a third pillar of our alliance, alongside our Security Cooperation through anzus and our strong economic ties with the Free Trade Agreement between our nations at its center. The compact lays the foundation for our two countries to advance climate and Clean Energy Action this decade, both at home and globally. Today, we agreed new measures under the compact to support our energy transition, including the establishment of an australian and u. S. Clean Energy Industry council, comprised of business and Public Finance leaders to advise government on clean Energy Industry development and cooperation. Were working closely with the United States to build endtoend sustainable, reliable, and transparent supply chains for Critical Minerals. Of course, australia has abundant supplies of these Critical Minerals that will drive our economies throughout this century lithium, cobalt, copper, vanadium, and rare earths. We want to connect that with american markets, investors, and technology in a way that creates new jobs and opportunities for industry and workers in both of our nations. Cheaper, cleaner energy will reduce costs for households, but it will also power a new generation of manufacturing. Our alliance is also delivering for the indopacific region bilaterally and increasingly with our partners in the quad. Australia and america are supporting the connectivity of the region, and today we announced a new funding for subsea cables in the pacific; further support for infrastructure development, including efforts to increase the pacifics access to financing; and that well Work Together through a new Pacific Banking Forum to ensure that our friends in the pacific maintain access to the Global Financial system. Today, we also discussed our joint position opposing russias illegal and immoral invasion of ukraine. Australia stands with ukraine. And President Biden welcomed the package for further assistance that i announced yesterday. This will provide ukraine with additional military assistance, utilizing the Innovative Technology thats produced by australias Defense Industry partners. Finally, of course, last night and again today, we spoke about the situation in israel and gaza. Australia unequivocally condemns the terrorism of hamas. We grieve for the loss of every innocent life, whether that be israeli or palestinian. In times of crisis, respect for International Humanitarian law is paramount. It is a recognition of our common humanity. And i commend the president for his leadership that he has shown and the example that he has set. Today, i announced that australia will provide an additional 15 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians in gaza this adds to the 10 million australia has already committed and will help deliver lifesaving assistance such as Emergency Water and medical services. The friendship between australia and the United States was forged in hard times. Weve served and sacrificed together in the cause of peace. Weve helped each other through natural disasters. Australians and americans share a rich history, but we always have our eye on the future. Were united by a determination to overcome the challenges that we face, and we share an ambition to seize those opportunities which lay ahead of us. Ours is indeed an alliance in which we celebrate what weve achieved up to now but we focus on the future a future of great opportunities, one thats stronger because of this alliance. President biden all right. Were going to take a few questions now. Mr. Garrison, usa today. Reporter thank you, mr. President and Prime Minister albanese. Welcome to washi