Trump to keep up defence spend theme

Australia's foreign affairs head expects Donald Trump to keep pressing alliance partners in the Asia-Pacific to pull their weight when it comes to defence spending.

The US president has warned that countries such as Japan and South Korea and other partners needed to make a greater contribution to defence and security, or they may not be guaranteed America's protection.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Frances Adamson told a Senate committee on Thursday she expected one of Mr Trump's continuing themes would be "that alliance partners need to pull their weight".

But she added: "What we are starting to see is greater recognition and acknowledgement ... of the contributions that alliance partners are making."

When it was put to her that Mr Trump did not have the same criticism of Australia and New Zealand, she said: "Correct."

Mr Trump said in a speech to Congress on Wednesday America's partners "must meet their financial obligations".

"And now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that," he said.

"We expect our partners, whether in NATO, in the Middle East, or the Pacific, to take a direct and meaningful role in both strategic and military operations, and pay their fair share of the cost."