Readout of the Vice President's Meetings with Australian Officials

In addition to his meeting and press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Vice President Mike Pence met today with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in Sydney, Australia. In his meetings, the Vice President underscored the United States' unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Australia alliance and to the broader Asia-Pacific region. Vice President Pence conveyed the United States' sincere appreciation for Australia's significant contributions to Afghanistan and to defeating ISIS. He discussed our strong economic ties and the U.S.-Australia bilateral trade and investment relationship. In addition, the Vice President exchanged views with Australian officials on key foreign policy challenges, ranging from North Korea to countering terrorism.