Australia is reinforcing links with its northern neighbors to secure fuel supplies and bolster defense ties as a U.S. administration grows increasingly preoccupied with ¡ª and potentially weakened by ¡ª the war in Iran.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his senior ministers have been hitting the phones and traveling across Asia to ensure key trading partners maintain shipments of diesel and gasoline amid global supply disruptions. Albanese went to Singapore to meet Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday and is expected to travel to Brunei next week.
The visit to Singapore was earlier than planned and came after the two leaders spoke in March on ensuring continued energy flows. After the meeting, they announced a new agreement to support the stable supply of essential goods, including energy and food, according to a joint statement, with Wong emphasizing that this mutual support would strengthen energy security of both nations.
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