Visit to the United States

This week I will visit the United States to advance trade, tourism and investment opportunities for Australia, to help create new jobs.

In Washington DC, I will join Prime Minister Turnbull and a delegation of Australian state premiers, territory chief ministers and over 40 Australian and US business leaders.

This is the most significant Australian political and business delegation to visit the United States. It signifies the strength of the Australia - US relationship.

Partnering with the US National Governors' Association during its annual Winter Meeting, the delegation will have an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen collaboration with American states and businesses, including in the tech, resources and energy, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Opportunities that will arise from this visit will help create new Australian jobs.

I will meet senior representatives of the Trump Administration, including Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and White House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, to build on the strong Australia – US trade relationship.

We will discuss the global trading system and the US Commerce Department's recent recommendations on steel and aluminium imports. I will also explore the scope for greater collaboration on digital trade liberalisation and facilitation.

On my way to Washington DC I will visit New York to meet CEOs from major US investment firms and fund managers to underline Australia's attractiveness as an investment destination. I will also meet leading Australian entrepreneurs, particularly in the innovation and tech space, to learn firsthand about the achievements of young Australians in New York.

Two-way trade between Australia and the United States was valued at $66 billion in 2016-17, with substantial recent growth in trade in services and tourism.

More than 11,000 Australian companies exported goods to the United States in 2016-17. Our $1.5 trillion investment relationship already supports around 450,000 jobs in both countries.

Growing this important trade and investment relationship will create new Australian jobs.