Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed that he was invited to meet with former President Trump at Trump Tower to discuss the AUKUS military agreement, as well as China’s continued assertions in the Indo-Pacific region and the threats to Taiwan.
On Wednesday, Morrison posted on the social media platform X, stating, “It was great to meet with former President Trump at his private residence in New York on Tuesday night.” He mentioned, “The former President once again demonstrated his appreciation for the US-Australia alliance and the shared role in supporting the vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific that the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo proposed.”
The meeting between the two former leaders coincides with former President Trump’s campaign for the 2024 US presidential election, but Morrison did not disclose specific details of their discussions.
Morrison, US President Biden, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the historic security agreement AUKUS in September 2021, aimed at countering China’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific region and maintaining peace in the area.
Last month, the US, UK, and Australia released a joint statement announcing that the three countries are considering collaborating with Japan on advanced technology projects related to the AUKUS security agreement. The statement mentioned that the three nations seek to maximize strategic interests through the AUKUS partnership to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
In the Indo-Pacific region, aside from the conflicts between China and the Philippines, and China and India along their borders, tensions in the Taiwan Strait have escalated with the approaching inauguration of Taiwan’s new president on May 20.
On May 14, the Chinese military conducted what they called “combat readiness patrols” in the airspace and waters around Taiwan, with some aircraft even crossing the traditional median line of the Taiwan Strait.
In a pre-recorded video address for the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen stated that he will work to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. He said, “I do not rule out dialogue with China without preconditions and on the basis of mutual respect and dignity.” However, Chinese authorities have consistently refused to engage in dialogue with the democratically elected president, labeling him as pro-independence.
The US has been a staunch ally of Taiwan, not only leading the military stability triangle with Japan and Taiwan but also strengthening security cooperation with allied countries like the UK, Australia, the Philippines, among others, enhancing joint exercises and defense technology cooperation to counter China.
According to a report by Reuters on May 15, the US will send a bipartisan delegation to attend President Tsai Ing-wen’s inauguration ceremony to show support for Taiwan. The delegation consists of former government officials and representatives from non-profit organizations fostering unofficial US-Taiwan relations.
Morrison’s visit to the US this time also includes promoting his new book “Plans for Your Good,” and he will hold a press conference at the Australian Embassy in Washington with Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd on Wednesday evening.