Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with his Australian counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles, at the Pentagon today to discuss the United States – Australia Alliance.
The two leaders affirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, including with respect to operations, force posture, and defense technology collaboration. They exchanged views on the regional security environment, noting in particular their joint determination to counter destabilizing military activities by the People's Republic of China.
Finally, they agreed to continue cooperation with regional partners in support of a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.