It's been 244 years since the Declaration of Independence, but its words and their significance continue to resonate, both in the United States and Australia.

Life
As the White House's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci warns of the likelihood of the United States diagnosing 100,000 new cases of COVID-19 a day and just after the one-month anniversary of the killing of George Floyd, life is front of mind and front-page news in the United States today.

Liberty
In last week’s USSC webinar, Axios reporter Jonathan Swan discussed how wearing a mask out in public has become a partisan signal in the United States. Viewed as an infringement on civil liberties, many voters are making an intentional statement that, to them, maintaining personal freedom is more important and more urgent than the risks incurred by refusing to wear a mask.

Pursuit of Happiness
The pandemic is levying an unequal, but substantial economic toll on both countries and will play a significant role in the lead up to the election. To get the latest analysis on the race to the White House, please join our US Politics Web Series with the Perth USAsia Centre on Friday as we are joined by USSC Non-resident Senior Fellow Mia Love.

In all of this, the strength found in the alliance between the United States and Australia remains significant. On 24 July, the Centre is hosting an event to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement. We will be joined by The Hon John Howard OM AC and other special guests to look back on 15 years of the agreement. We hope you can join us.