Scott Morrison spoke to the US president on Friday morning, committing to building Australia's defence capabilities in partnership with America.

They also discussed the US Marine rotation under way in the Northern Territory.

"He was very complimentary ... on the responsibility we take in the region," Mr Morrison told reporters on the Gold Coast.

"Not only have we targeted two per cent of the size of the economy in our defence spending, doing our own heavy lifting on our defence, but that is now a floor, not a target.

"The United States is a key partner in stability and security, working with many other like-minded countries in the region ... (but) we are no passenger in any relationship we have, and that is greatly appreciated by our American friends."

The pair also compared notes on managing the coronavirus and reopening their economies.

"He was very complimentary of the response," Mr Morrison said of the president's reaction to Australia's efforts.

Australia has shifted its full military focus to the Indo-Pacific and is buying long-range missiles to protect against China's militarisation and fallout from the virus.

The United States has been extremely aggressive in blaming China for the deadly disease, as it struggles more than most countries to control the pandemic.

The leaders discussed working together more closely on a range of issues confronting the Indo-Pacific alongside Southeast Asian partners and other key players like India and Japan.

They also discussed coordinated approaches to multilateral organisations and their commitment to open markets and low-tax regimes.

Australia and the United States have both been critical of the World Health Organisation for its handling of coronavirus, though the US has responded more harshly by pulling funding from the UN agency.

Australian Associated Press