Australia's foreign minister is making the case for an exemption from US tariffs in crucial talks with her American counterparts.
Penny Wong met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday morning, Australian time, as negotiations continue in Australia's hope of removing the economic measures.
The face-to-face discussions with Mr Rubio took place in Washington on the sidelines of a meeting of Quad foreign ministers, which also includes Senator Wong's counterparts from India and Japan.
Senator Wong told Mr Rubio it was unfortunate that they were meeting against a backdrop of conflict in the world.
"So it has never been more important for us to harness our collective strength for peace, stability, for prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," she said.
Mr Rubio responded that the US and Australia had a "great partnership", and while it was important to discuss ideas and concepts, the next steps were "concrete action".
It's the second time in six months that foreign ministers from the Quad nations have met for in-person talks, with the grouping also holding formal discussions in Washington in the days following US President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Defence, trade and stability in the Indo-Pacific have been high on the agenda during the discussions.
"The United States is our closest ally and principal strategic partner," Senator Wong said ahead of the meeting.
"Our alliance contributes to the peace, prosperity and stability of our countries and the region we share."
The meeting came against a backdrop of tariffs due to apply to goods imported into the US from its trading partners from July 9.
Mr Trump's administration has imposed a baseline tariff of 10 per cent on all Australian goods imports, and a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been under pressure from the federal opposition to secure an in-person meeting with the president to argue for tariff removals.
The two leaders were due to speak on the sidelines of the G7 session held in June in Canada, but the meeting was scrapped at the eleventh hour when Mr Trump left the summit early due to instability in the Middle East.
A replacement meeting is yet to be scheduled.