Australia and United States to hold inaugural Strategic Economic Dialogue

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan will travel to the United States to participate in the inaugural Strategic Economic Dialogue with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

Mr Tehan said the Strategic Economic Dialogue discussions would focus on economic coercion, critical minerals, regional supply chains, and opportunities for an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

“Strategic competition is playing out increasingly in the economic sphere, and this dialogue will strengthen cooperation with Australia’s most important strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Tehan said.

“Australia and the US are working hard to shape an open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific and to address the impacts of economic coercion in our region.

“The dialogue is an important new component of the Australia-US bilateral architecture and will serve as the main forum for deepening cooperation on strategic economic issues.

“The dialogue will be held annually and will complement existing forums, including the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN).”

Mr Tehan will travel with a delegation of CEOs from the critical minerals and rare earths sector to take part in a Critical Minerals Roundtable with Secretary Raimondo. The roundtable will discuss opportunities to bridge market gaps and enhance the resilience of critical minerals supply chains.

Mr Tehan will also meet with US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai to discuss IPEF, WTO reform, addressing economic coercion and non-market practices, digital trade, and bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The meeting will build on the outcomes of the AUSFTA Joint Committee Meeting on 16 March.

Mr Tehan will also meet with senior members of US Congress and the US business community to discuss shared priorities.