Australia, U.S. bolster security ties

State Secretary Powell and Australian PM Howard spent 90 minutes discussing security and other issues

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard has re-affirmed his nation's commitment to the war on terrorism ahead of his address to a joint sitting of the U.S. Congress on Thursday.

Howard told a joint media conference with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Wednesday that Australia would "remain strong and steadfast" in its support for anti-terror actions.

While not stating that Australia would necessarily be involved in any U.S.-led action on Iraq, Powell indicated that Australia would be "consulted" before any such move was made.

Australia currently has more than 1,500 armed forces, as well as fighter aircraft, navy vessels and support craft involved in the Afghanistan campaign.

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"We have had a very excellent discussion covering a wide range of issues ... and I took the opportunity once again to thank the prime minister for the contribution that Australia has made to efforts in Afghanistan to help restore that country to a point where people can live in freedom and democracy," Powell said.

Howard said it was hypothetical to talk of any strike against Iraq, and said he had not been asked by the US to commit any more troops to the war on terrorism.

"The principle is stated that if any action were taken, Australia would be consulted," Howard said.

"I've said before that if we were ever asked to participate or support it, we would consider that at the time, if it happened, on its merits.

"We would naturally expect to be consulted, and I'm sure we would."

Apart from discussing security issues, Howard is also pushing a trade agenda during this visit to the United States.

'Logical step'

Along with Japan, the U.S. is Australia's largest trading partner, but so far moves to begin a free-trade deal between the two countries have made little progress.

Australia believes U.S. agricultural subsidies unfairly hamper the chances of selling its own farm products in the giant U.S. market.

Howard said Australia was keen to start negotiating a free trade agreement with the U.S. once legislative obstacles were removed.

"We think it's the next logical step in the very close economic relationship between our two countries," Howard said.

Australia has a free trade deal with close neighbor New Zealand and is negotiating similar arrangements with Singapore and Thailand.

It is also committed to pursuing free trade talks with Japan.