Malcolm Turnbull was welcomed by the White House by a Marine Corp honour guard on a freezing Washington DC morning before sitting down for a meeting and lunch with President of the United States, Barack Obama. 

 

Sitting in the office with Mr Turnbull, Mr Obama said how very few countries have as much in  common as Australia and America. 

 

Noting that Australia had made the second greatest contribution in the fight against the Islamic State of any nation, Mr Obama explained how he was eager to hear Mr Turnbull's views on progress in war against IS and violent extremism more broadly.

 

Mr Obama also said that he wanted to speak about the rebalance to the Asia pacific region. Mr Turnbull discussed the importance of the agreement and the rise of China, and he is expected to lobby on behalf of the TPP in meetings with congressional leaders, who have yet to approve it. 

 

Speaking in the Oval office, Mr Turnbull echoed the President in discussing the close ties between the US and Australia. 

 

"Our alliance, our relationship is founded not just on national self-interest, not just on economics or kinship, but on shared values."