Pence underscores ‘historic alliance’ with Australian leader

Vice President Pence on Friday underscored the “historic alliance” between U.S. and Australia during his meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

According to pool reports, Pence said that the purpose of the visit was “to reaffirm the strong historic alliance between the United States of America and Australia.”

{mosads}The vice president also reiterated the importance of international cooperation between the two countries and noted that soldiers from both nations fought alongside one another in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Turnbull also thanked Pence for the visit, saying that Australia is “very honored” to receive the U.S. vice president.

“[W]e are very honored that you are here so early in the term of your new Trump administration, the earliest visit by a Vice President in the term of a new administration in history,” the prime minister said.

“We recognize that, more than ever, that represents your commitment to our alliance,” he added.

Relations between the two countries were pricked earlier this year after a Washington Post report said President Trump lashed out at Turnbull in a phone conversation over an Obama-era refugee resettlement policy.

According to the report, when Turnbull inquired if the Trump administration would take in 1,250 refugees being held in Australia as part on an agreement made under former President Barack Obama, Trump called it “the worst deal ever,” suggesting that Australia may send “the next Boston bomber” to the U.S.