page_title: Australia–United States relations
section_title: Independent foreign policy
hierarchical_section_title: Australia–United States relations / Independent foreign policy
caption_attribution_description: English: Postcard-Australians welcome Americans
context_page_description: Australia–United States relations are the international relations between Australia and the United States. At the governmental level, Australia–United States relations are formalized by the ANZUS treaty and the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement.
  According to a 2014 BBC World Service poll, 44 percent of Australians had a "mainly positive" view of the United States and 46 percent had a "mainly negative" view, for a net rating of −2 points. No similar survey was conducted to ascertain American perceptions of Australia. According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 55% of Australians approve of U.S. leadership, with 21% disapproving and 24% uncertain. In a more recent 2016 Pew Research poll, 60% of Australians approve of U.S. leadership. In 2017, a major poll conducted in Australia by the Lowy Institute showed that 77% believed an alliance with the US was important for security. However, the survey showed that 60% of Australians had developed an unfavorable view of the US as a result of President Donald Trump. The survey also showed that the US was no longer considered Australia's "best friend", a title now held by New Zealand.
context_section_description: The political and economic changes wrought by the Great Depression and Second World War, and the adoption of the Statute of Westminster 1931, necessitated the establishment and expansion of Australian representation overseas, independent of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Australia established its first overseas missions (outside London) in January 1940. The first accredited diplomat sent by Australia to any foreign country was R. G. (Richard Gavin Gardiner, although usually known by the two initials) Casey, appointed to Washington in January 1940.
  The U.S. Embassy opened in Canberra in 1943, constructed in a Georgian architectural style.
caption: "Australians welcome Americans", postcard 1908
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