President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have signed a critical-minerals deal at the White House.

China has hit out at claims of “unsafe” and “unprofessional” military activity in the South China Sea after Australia lodged a formal protest over the incident.

Australia is capable of engaging with the Trump administration while stabilizing relations with China, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, reiterating the center-left government’s policy of balancing the fractious superpowers.

China has fiercely hit back at Australia over an airspace interaction between the two countries that has seen tensions flare, and claimed an Australian plane “seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty”.

President Donald Trump said he wants to accelerate nuclear submarine deliveries to Australia under the AUKUS agreement during White House meeting.

Australia has raised concerns with Beijing after a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares near one of its maritime patrol planes, the defence department said on Monday, labelling the incident "unsafe and unprofessional".

Australia lodges diplomatic protest after Chinese fighter jet releases flares near Australian surveillance aircraft