President Joe Biden welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the White House Wednesday for an official state visit, the leaders’ most high-profile meeting, marking the two nations’ growing partnership in defense-technology sharing. But amid China’s growing defense spending, US hard power remains indispensable — so Biden shouldn’t be using such pacts as an excuse to cut the Pentagon budget. The Australia-United Kingdom-United States deal to provide Down Under nuclear-powered subs and jointly develop defense technology — a pact known as AUKUS — is a terrific example of democratic allies working together to support one another’s interests. Well-respected former State…