Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been officially welcomed at the White House for a one-on-one meeting with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office.
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Mr Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon were formally welcomed with a 19-gun salute at an arrival ceremony with Mr Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and senior US government officials on Wednesday morning local time.
After a one-on-one in the Oval Office followed by bilateral talks with US cabinet secretaries, Mr Albanese and Mr Biden were scheduled to hold a joint press conference in the rose garden.
The leaders were reportedly expected to make announcements on security and the Pacific, including a joint deal for undersea cables to power internet access in Pacific island nations.
They are also tipped to detail plans to co-operate on technological innovations including artificial intelligence, space and clean energy.
Later in the day Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon will return to the White House for a lavish state dinner, sitting down with Mr and Mrs Biden and a couple of hundred guests for a five-star feast.
with Reuters
Australian Associated Press