No alliance between nations is free for the parties. Maintaining the balance between profit and loss, maximizing the benefits of the alliance remains a major challenge for Australia. An illustrative example of this balancing exercise refers to the image rather than the substance of alliance relations. ANS has benefited from the support of successive Australian governments, which over the years have invested a great deal of energy, time and resources in maintaining and promoting the treaty and maintaining the close image of Australian-American relations. However, it was sometimes felt that Australian politicians had gone too far in their enthusiasm for LES. “All the way with LBJ” and Prime Minister Gorton`s dinner at the White House promised: “Wherever the United States opposes aggression… then we will go to Waltzing Matilda with you” were unfortunate examples that were, rightly, struck with indignation and mockery. (15) More recently, the government has been criticized for not quickly distancing itself from Australia`s incidental description as America`s “deputy sheriff” in the region, before beginning to damage Australia`s image of its neighbours. (16) Given the relative size and strength of the allies, Australian governments have wisely resisted domestic political pressure to use the alliance as a negotiating ground in trade negotiations, since such pressure would likely undermine the usefulness of the treaty without resolving trade disputes with Australia with the United States. Despite these considerations, the United States, if it is to maintain public support for the alliance in Australia, should do everything in its power to minimize the impact of its trade policy on the Australian economy.

Both sides must take this into account in future negotiations on a possible free trade agreement between the United States and Australia. If a bilateral trade agreement that satisfactorily covers agricultural issues is not reached, it could lead to “disenchantment with relations in general”. (62) As Ross Garnaut says, “economic interests are at stake… are too small to justify compromises or controversies in broader political and strategic relations. (63) In the future, the challenge for Australian governments will be to continue to isolate the Alliance`s security advantages from domestic problems if U.S. trade policy continues to hurt Australia`s trade position and economy. Annual meetings to discuss ANS defence issues are held between US defence and state ministers and Australian defence and foreign ministers, under the acronym OF AUSMIN. The 2011 AUSMIN meeting was held in September in San Francisco. The 2012 AUSMIN meeting was held in November in Perth, Western Australia. [7] U.S.-Australia ties work strategically and tactically and on the ground. The 1996 Joint Declaration (“Sydney Declaration) confirming the commitments of the US-Australian alliance – expanded the combined exercises and training opportunities covering all operational and tactical cooperation and interoperability. (24) Under the EIS, the ADF not only has the opportunity to train regularly with the world`s best-equipped armed forces, but its exercise with the United States is an important preparation for combined operations such as United Nations-led peacekeeping and peacekeeping operations, such as the Gulf War and the Gulf War.

, more recently, East Timor, where the United States has provided logistical and other support.