US Defense Secretary to Visit Fiji, the Philippines, and Australia

Secretary of Defense to Strengthen Relationships, Discuss Security in the Indo-Pacific Region

Lloyd Austin, the United States Secretary of Defense, will embark on a week-long tour of the Indo-Pacific region, beginning on Saturday, July 29th. During his trip, Secretary Austin will visit Fiji, the Philippines, and Australia to meet with government leaders and discuss regional security issues.

Secretary Austin's visit to Fiji marks the first time a US Defense Secretary has visited the island nation in over a decade. In Fiji, Secretary Austin will meet with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and other senior government officials to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and address shared security challenges, including climate change and humanitarian assistance.

From Fiji, Secretary Austin will travel to the Philippines, where he will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other senior officials to reaffirm the US commitment to the US-Philippines alliance. Secretary Austin and President Marcos are expected to discuss a range of issues, including maritime security, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.

The final leg of Secretary Austin's trip will be to Australia, where he will meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other senior officials to discuss regional security and defense cooperation. Secretary Austin and Prime Minister Albanese are expected to discuss a range of issues, including the AUKUS partnership, which is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Secretary Austin's trip to the Indo-Pacific region is part of the US's broader effort to strengthen relationships and promote stability in the region. The US considers the Indo-Pacific region to be a critical area for its national security interests, and Secretary Austin's visit is a sign of the US's commitment to the region.