The new US ambassador has declared his nation Australia's most important economic partner. In his first major speech since arriving in the country, Arthur Culvahouse said this relationship was often taken for granted. "It is such a part of the fabric of your experience and ours that the depth and scope of our economic partnership has faded into the background and become somewhat unremarkable," he said in Perth on Friday. "We take it for granted because it seems that it's always been there, and because it seems that it has always been there, we have lost sight of just how remarkable it truly is." The US is widely viewed as Australia's closest security ally and China its most important trading partner. But addressing the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Mr Culvahouse has challenged this narrative. While China is Australia's largest export market, he pointed out US investment into Australia dwarfed any other country. "Being the largest investor in Australia translates into the United States being the largest international employer and wage-payer," the ambassador said. "The scale of US investment in Australia also means that US companies pay far more tax than businesses from any other country." Mr Culvahouse also sought to allay fears about US president Donald Trump's protectionism. "The United States remains one of the most open trading markets in the world," he said. Australian Associated Press
The Incoming US Ambassador says his nation invests far more than China in Australia
The new US ambassador has declared his nation Australia's most important economic partner.
In his first major speech since arriving in the country, Arthur Culvahouse said this relationship was often taken for granted.
"It is such a part of the fabric of your experience and ours that the depth and scope of our economic partnership has faded into the background and become somewhat unremarkable," he said in Perth on Friday.
"We take it for granted because it seems that it's always been there, and because it seems that it has always been there, we have lost sight of just how remarkable it truly is."
The US is widely viewed as Australia's closest security ally and China its most important trading partner.
But addressing the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Mr Culvahouse has challenged this narrative.
While China is Australia's largest export market, he pointed out US investment into Australia dwarfed any other country.
"Being the largest investor in Australia translates into the United States being the largest international employer and wage-payer," the ambassador said.
"The scale of US investment in Australia also means that US companies pay far more tax than businesses from any other country."
Mr Culvahouse also sought to allay fears about US president Donald Trump's protectionism.
"The United States remains one of the most open trading markets in the world," he said.
