Foreign relations of Australia

Foreign relations of Australia are influenced by its position as a leading trading nation and as a significant donor of humanitarian aid. Australia's foreign policy is guided by a commitment to multilateralism and regionalism, as well as to build strong bilateral relations with its allies. Key concerns include free trade, terrorism, refugees, economic co-operation with Asia and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is active in the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. Given its history of starting and supporting important regional and global initiatives, it has been described as a regional middle power par excellence.^[1]

It maintains significant ties with ASEAN and has become steadfastly allied with New Zealand, through long-standing ties dating back to the 1800s. The country also has a longstanding alliance with the United States of America. Over recent decades Australia has sought to strengthen its relationship with Asian countries, with this becoming the focus of the country's network of diplomatic missions.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7] In 2021, Australia signed a significant security partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States of America (AUKUS) aimed at upholding security in the Indo-Pacific region.

^ Fels, Enrico (2017). Shifting Power in Asia-Pacific? The Rise of China, Sino-US Competition and Regional Middle Power Allegiance. Springer. p. 365. ISBN 978-3-319-45689-8. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
^ "The Growing Importance of the ASEAN–Australia Relationship – Australian Institute of International Affairs". Australian Institute of International Affairs.
^ "PM Lee congratulates new Australian PM Morrison, pens valedictory letter to former leader Turnbull". Channel NewsAsia.
^ Stolarchuk, Jewel. "Reflecting on the ASEAN–Australian relationship". The Independent.
^ "New poll suggests Trump causes Australians to form unfavourable view of US". SBS News.
^ "Trump a 'critical threat' to Australia's interests as trust in US hits record low". ABC News. 20 June 2018.
^ Curran, J. (2013). The Dilemmas of Divergence: The Crisis in American-Australian Relations, 1972–1975. pp. 377–408.

[Fels2017-1] Fels, Enrico (2017). Shifting Power in Asia-Pacific? The Rise of China, Sino-US Competition and Regional Middle Power Allegiance. Springer. p. 365. ISBN 978-3-319-45689-8. Retrieved 25 November 2016.

[2] "The Growing Importance of the ASEAN–Australia Relationship – Australian Institute of International Affairs". Australian Institute of International Affairs.

[3] "PM Lee congratulates new Australian PM Morrison, pens valedictory letter to former leader Turnbull". Channel NewsAsia.

[4] Stolarchuk, Jewel. "Reflecting on the ASEAN–Australian relationship". The Independent.

[5] "New poll suggests Trump causes Australians to form unfavourable view of US". SBS News.

[6] "Trump a 'critical threat' to Australia's interests as trust in US hits record low". ABC News. 20 June 2018.

[7] Curran, J. (2013). The Dilemmas of Divergence: The Crisis in American-Australian Relations, 1972–1975. pp. 377–408.

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