US vice-president praises trade links between two countries during tour of Boeing factory in Melbourne

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Joe Biden has praised the trade relationship between Australia and the United States and said both countries owed their relative political and economic stability to a “solid, solid middle class”.

The US vice-president arrived in Australia on Saturday for a four-day tour, which included attending the opening of the $1bn Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and attending an Australian rules football game with the foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop.

On Monday he toured a Boeing factory in Melbourne that makes a component of aeroplane wings, which are then sent to the US to be assembled.

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He said the American-owned company’s decision to base some of its manufacturing in Victoria benefited both countries, because it encouraged jobs and flow-on investment.

“Because you’re building the Dreamliner wing flaps here, Qantas Air finalised a deal with Boeing to purchase eight Boeing Dreamliners,” Biden said.

“That’s worth nearly $2bn. So those who say, ‘why am I visiting a factory that is an American corporation in a foreign country paying good wages to over 1,000 people?’ That’s the reason why ... we both benefit.”

Qantas finalised a deal to buy the 787-9 planes to replace its ageing 747 fleet last year and the first new planes are scheduled for delivery in 2017.

Biden said more than 8,000 of Boeing’s 150,000 employees in the US worked directly on building Dreamliners, using Australian parts. He held up the arrangement as an investment in the middle class and “an example of how trade should work”.

“Back home I’m referred to as middle-class Joe – in Washington that means I’m not sophisticated,” he said.

He added: “When the middle class does well, everybody does well. The wealthy do very well when we do well. The poor have a way up when we do well.

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“One of the reasons for the social and economic stability and political stability in Australia and the United States is because we have a solid, solid, solid middle class.”

Biden also spoke about the dignity of work, saying: “My dad would say, ‘A job’s about a lot more than a pay cheque. A job’s about your dignity. A job’s about your place in the community. A job is about who you are. A job is about being able to hold your head up, take care of your kids, make sure you’re able to meet your family’s needs.’

“That’s what middle class means where I come from. I think it’s what it means here but it depends on good, solid, expanding jobs like you have right here, and these investments start virtual cycles.”

Biden was due to fly to Sydney on Monday afternoon to meet with the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.