For offering his condolences for the horrible tragedy in parkland, florida. Americans are grateful for the support of our australian friends, and friends they are. As our entire nation grieves, the loss of 17 precious lives and all of the horribly injured, the United States and australia are honoring 100 years of mateship, a term you use very beautifully, mr. Prime minister. A century has passed since americans and brave australians fought together in world war i. Ar partnership has thrived as bulwark of freedom, security, and democracy. Last spring, the Prime Minister and i celebrated the 100 year milestone during an extraordinary evening on the uss intrepid. Some of my friends who are in the room today hello folks. Up,d up, greg, stand anthony. Where is anthony . That was a great evening. You. I am pleased to announce we will name combat ship 30 the uss you. Crews whof australian lost lives serving along the u. S. Navy in world war ii. Chosen theecretary has minister of defense to be her sponsor. I know the uss camber will be a worthy successor to both her worthy namesake and her american navycessor, the former baltimore class. As she sails the open sea, the new uss will symbolize to all who cross her path the enduring friendship between the United States and australia. Today strengthened by our common values and history, we are working to promote our mutual interests. I want to thank the Prime Minister for serving as a strong voice for peace and stability across the entire indo pacific region. Australia is one of our closest orders in our campaign of maximum pressure to denuclearize the korean peninsula. Today we put the strongest sanctions on korea that we have ever put on a country. We must continue to stand together to prevent the brutal dictatorship from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Our nations likewise share a commitment to keeping our people safe from terrorism. Australian troops are serving alongside americans and our partners in afghanistan, and the coalition to defeat isis. Together we are denying terrorists safe haven and discrediting their we get ideology. Isis land has been largely recaptured, almost 100 , i am very honored to say. And they are on the line. Our Strong Partnership can also been seen in our flourishing economic relationship. Australia remains a key market for American Defense products. We make the best products in the world, so you have very good taste. Automobiles and aircraft,we maka reciprocal trading relationship, reciprocal trading relationship, is a model for other countries as we seek bilateral agreements. News that america is open for that america is open for business has reached australian shores. In may, entrepreneur australian entrepreneur Anthony Pratt announced a new box making initiative across the United States. But only if trump won, am i right . Thank god you give the right answer. He said, if i win, you would spend billions of dollars in the United States. I want to thank you for giving me a very correct comment, anthony. Anthony. I will never do that again. This will build on the over 100,000 jobs in america taking place already supported by australian companies. Im glad this year the united largests by far the investor in australia. Dozens of american and Australian Business leaders in the ring today, athletes in the room today, who are working together to find more bilateral opportunities. Mr. Prime minister, i want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your immigration reforms, and on australias commitment to meritbased immigration. Are my friends from congress listening to that . We want to do meritbased immigration also, and we will. That really protects the interest of australia ands its people. It is the way to go. You have been very successful with it. Here we have been working hard to do the same. In that sense, we will follow in your footprints. Prime minister terminal, it has been a pleasure to host you today. A great lunch with your representatives. A lot of deals were made for the purchase of additional military equipment and other things. For a century now, the people of United States and australia have inspired the world with their determination, their bravery, and their generosity. I know our close friendship and Enduring Alliance and our personal friendship will grow Even Stronger in the century t come. To come. Our relationship with australia will always be a very powerful and very successful relationship. It has been incredible,it has bt is only getting better. Thank you very much. [applause] mr. President , thank you so much. Lucy and i want to thank you and First Lady Melania Trump for your warm welcome, your generous hospitality and friendship. Our meeting today was a great opportunity to strengthen and deepen our engagement with the United States. You are our most important strategic and economic partner. And to lay the groundwork for a new phase of intensified cooperation, the next 100 years of mateship. I am here, as you noted mr. President , with the most substantial australian delegation ever to travel to washington dc. We have in addition to ceos, several of whom you have identified here today, who are creating jobs we spend a lot of time talking about jobs today they are creating jobs in australia and the United States, demonstrating our two great nations, committed to competition, to freedom, to innovation, science, technology, working together, complement each other, an thatand that is e are seeing strong jobs growth in australia. The largest number in our countrys history, 16 months of continued jobs growth. We have been inspired, i have to inay, by your success securing the passage of tax reforms through congress. We have secured some tax reforms in terms of reducing company tax, but not as much as we need to do. We have more work to do. The economic stimulus your reforms have delivered in the United States is one of the most arerful arguments we deploying to persuade our legislature to support reducing business tax, because as you are demonstrating, and as we all are deploying toknow, when you cut , benefit goes to workers, it produces more investment, and when you get more investment, you get more jobs. I have joined on this visit by six of the leaders of our states and territories. The only two that are not here are fighting elections. We are meeting at the National Governors association, broadening and deepening the relationship. We have a huge amount to work with. Our relationship, as you said, has been forged over a century through times of war and peace, securing our nations freedom and security in the world. Our relationship is based not only on history. We have the same values. We share a deep well of trust and spirit based on those entering values of freedom, democracy enduring values of freedom, democracy, the rule of daw, ingenuity, having a go, an if it doesnt work out, dust yourself off and have another go. That is a core australian and american value, enterprise. Our relationship is underpinned by millions of family links, and of course the extensive Economic Cooperation we have talked about. Our Security Alliance is as close as it could be, yet keeps getting closer. The cooperation is more intense than it has ever been. Ourwhether we are standing up fr freedoms cause in the middle east, in ou regionr, around the world combating terrorism, the cooperation we need around the world is greater than ever. That trust between australia and the United States, between the thousands of brave servicemen and women who are working together right now, that trust underpins our security. You mentioned our economic relationship and trade. Since the australiau. S. Free trade agreement came into force grown, two way trade has over 50 . The u. S. Has a trade surplus with australia of 25 billion, your thirdlargest trading surplus with us. We know it works for both of us. Twoway investment has more than doubled in the past decade, worth more than 1. 1 trillion in 2016. Again boosting jobs and growth in both our economies. Today we have agreed on new initiatives that will deepen this relationship further. We are seeking to expand transparent and competitive Global Energy markets, cooperating on infrastructure in the United States and in the region. We have spent a lot of time talking about the structure, including urban infrastructure, a subject, mr. In the united sts president , you have a lifetime of experience in. The leadership you are showing on infrastructure in the United States is being admired around the world. Australian experience is there to help, as you know, as is already operating here. Intensify our to cooperation on digital trade. And myde your side trade minister have made significant progress in that regard. Lucy met general dunford at Arlington National cemetery. We honored americas war dead. We honored and australian hermione who died airman who died in new guinea who was buried at arlington also. We were reminded that all of the of thosewe enjoy, all freedoms had to be secured generation after generation by courageous men and women defending freedoms cause. Our freedoms have dependent onthem. Americans know, as australians know, we have no better ally. We are mates. 100 years of mateship. We are working together to address the greatest threat to our region right now, north koreas Illegal Nuclear weapons program. Want to commend the sanctions announced today. Commend the sanctions announced today. We continue to do the same, enforcing that you went Security Council u. N. Security council mandated sanctions. We are working around the world, helping the iraqis and afghans hold the resilience to their countries secure in the face of terrorists. We both recognize the prosperity hold our region, and indeed the world, has been built on a foundation of a rulesbased order that has been secured by the leadership of the United States ever since the second world war. That leadership has been critical. The commitment you have shown, mr. President , when you came out to the east asia summit last year, that commitment was so important. It spoke volumes for americas continued commitment to our region, to our part of the world, to the indo pacific. So vital. Of engine room, if you like, the most rapid Economic Growth we have seen in our times. Mr. President , i want to thank you for the very rare honor you have shown to australia by naming one of your future literal conduct ships. Combat ships. What a great symbol of our alliance and our shared security endeavors. Extraordinary statement. F commitment built in will be mobile, alabama. Ships for the u. S. Navy. What a great example of in mobile, alabama. You have an Australian Company with American Workers operating in the United States, building 100 years of mateship. When you grieve, so do we. We send our love, prayers, and condolences to all of the families of the shocking School Shooting in florida. We are mates. We stand by each other. And when we are hurt, we are hurt as well. Mr. President , thank you for your warm welcome. Mateship, we celebrate on july 4. And monash led australian troops to war for the first time. 100 years of mateship celebrated, and 100 more years to look forward to closer than ever. Thank you very much. [applause] President Trump thank you very much, malcolm. We appreciate it. On behalf of the first lady and our great Vice President , thank you very much. It is an honor to have you. We will answer a couple questions, okay . Go ahead. Thank you, mr. President. I have a couple questions for you. President trump how about one . [laughter] following mass shootings, there is often a lot of talk and little action. I ask you today, what specific pieces of legislation or legislative framework will you propose following the parkland shooting . President trump we will do a lot. We are going to be very strong on background checks. I have spoken with people in congress, senators, congressmen and women. There is a movement to get something done. We want to be powerful on background checks. When we are dealing with the mentally ill, as we were in this last case he was a very sick person. Someone that should have been nabbed. They were 39 potential occasions they were able to see him. We want to be very strong on background checks, especially as it pertains to the mentally ill. We are going to get rid of the bump stocks, and were going to do certain other things. One of the feelings i have, and you have probably heard me in a speech this morning, very important we have offensive as well as defensive capability within the schools. When you have a gun free zone, you are inviting people to come in and do whatever you have to do and oftentimes get out. I brought up these shootings on average last three minutes, and it takes anywhere from six to 10 minutes for police to get to the site. I want people to be in the building. In many cases you have exmarine, exnavy and coast guard. They can have concealed weapons. They can still be teachers. We have to have offensive capability to take these people out rapidly before they can do this kind of damage. We will put in Strong Language dealing with background checks. That will take place quickly. , i spoke with paul ryan, with mitch mcconnell. People are looking to really energized. I know this has been going on for a long time, many years. You have had people in my position. They would mention things, but not a a lot of things got done obviously. We take it very seriously. If, by the way the bad guy thinks someone is in this room with a weapon that is going to be pointed at him with live b ullets, hes not even going into the school. Youre not going to solve it with gun free spaces. They will be the only one with a gun. We are dealing with congress right now. Reporter if i could follow up, amid talks of Arming Teachers and mental health, what promises can you make to students that make itlicies will make it safer . President trump i think it is going to make it safer. The problem over the last 20 years is it is all talk and no action. Were going to take action. Havenk the fact that you some capability within the school they will not go into that school. You can look at what happens with airplanes, where marshalls have guns. Nothing has happened for a long period of time. At one point it was getting to be routine. When you have someone with a gun staring you down, its going to be a lot different for them to walk into schools. They see the sign, this is a country environment, that means they are the only one with a gun. The damage that lunatic did for of time. Ng period that guard decided not to go in. That was not his finest moment. It is a terrible situation. We need people that can take care of our children. We are not going to let this happen again. They are basically cowards. Innately, they are cowards. They know bad things happen to them once they go into that school, by people that love the children. See, a Security Guard doesnt know the children, doesnt love the children. Standing outside the school the other day doesnt love the children, probably doesnt know the children. These children these teachers love their students. They have to be very adept. About everying teacher. Im talking about. Thank you, mr. Prime minister, for joining us here today in washington. For helping known the Syrian People and syrian refugees, so i ask you today as canworld watches what steps ustralia take with the help of President Trump and the United States to ensure that civilians protected in Eastern Ghouta . The Australian Armed forces been working as part of the d. A. S. H. In defeat syria for some time. Opposed to as syria, where were training both unit, special forces counterterrorism service, and regular army and armed police. Australia refugees, has a very substantial humanitarian program, were taking about 18,000 refugees per year. 18,000 12 in terms of, i it would be fair to say the president has, of course, this area sight into here, but it would be fair to say that ultimately, the to be a n in syria has political settlement, and that m sure is what secretary tillerson is working towards. If i could briefly follow up syria, as two of the most powerful men in the entire world, is there anything you can to stop the bloodshed . To be a tely there has political settlement. You know, the campaign to d. A. S. H. Or isil has been largely completed. Caliphate has been beened to pockets and its smashed. Have a and australians worked bravesly and effectively with our partners to do that important, by the way, to keep australians and americans safe at home because image of isils invincible across syria ping and iraq and they were going to sweep across europe, all of that recruiting tool so part as a very important of our global effort. But ultimately the settlement in has to come from a political settlement among the who live there. President trump i will say what iran and what yria has done recently is a humanitarian disgrace. Isis and go o home. What though three countries have over the last short period of time is a disgrace. Okay. A ld you like to ask question, mr. Prime minister . Yes. Australian rom the review. L phil curry from the financial review. O you, mr. Trump, just on the region and china and associated issues, the United States navy frequently freedom navigation through disputed areas. Would you like to see the navy those pate directly in operations along