ICYMI: Senator Coons, bipartisan and bicameral colleagues highlight how U.S.-Australia strategic cooperation could deter China in TIME op-ed following return from CODEL

WASHINGTON - In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) published an op-ed in TIME magazine today discussing how the United States needs to strengthen its alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China's attempts to expand its global influence through economic ties and military pressure. The article was co-written with U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio). The group recently returned from a congressional delegation to Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Fiji, and INDOPACOM headquarters in Hawaii to reaffirm Congress' commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

Their visit highlighted how, to keep China at bay, America must remain closely linked to Australia and other regional partners, including through programs like the AUKUS defense initiative to deter China's aggression and secure regional stability.

"Our delegation visited the Osborne shipyard in Adelaide and saw the progress we're making. No current weapon or platform in the U.S. arsenal is as important to deterring Chinese aggression as nuclear-powered submarines on patrol in the Pacific. Australia has stepped up to the tune of $3 billion for this project alone, and it's no wonder AUKUS enjoys enormous bipartisan support across the U.S. Congress and the American people," the members wrote.

The members highlighted their tour of a cutting-edge undersea autonomous vehicle facility near Sydney, in which they saw firsthand how Australia is pioneering a new model of defense innovation, uniting military, civil, and private sector partners. The members emphasized that the U.S. must deepen engagement with Australia to develop and advance emerging technologies such as quantum computing, hypersonics, and critical minerals to compete with China.

"Australia has even more to offer the U.S. as a strategic partner, from a wide range of critical minerals and rare earths to advanced research in key technologies from quantum computing to hypersonic missiles. Whether it is sharing valuable intelligence as a trusted partner, hosting U.S. troops for substantial training exercises or manufacturing advanced munitions with American companies, Australia has proven its strategic value to our nation over and over and will continue to do so in the future," the members wrote.

Finally, the members pushed for more U.S. engagement through disaster relief, such as ensuring the continuation of PEPFAR, America's flagship global HIV and AIDS relief program, and infrastructure investment and sustainable fisheries that help build resilience and prosperity for our Pacific allies.

"What we heard in every meeting is that Australia is more committed than ever to investing in our joint security based on our shared values. It was clear that our allies in the region are ready to stand with us at this pivotal moment in modern history, if only we embrace their partnership. The tensions in our partnership caused by tariffs and the Pentagon's AUKUS review need to be put to rest," the members concluded.

You can read the full op-ed here.