Trump accused of 'lobbing grenade' into US-UK security pact as president orders review of nuclear sub deal intended to tackle Chinese aggression
Donald Trump has been accused of 'throwing a hand grenade' into the transatlantic security alliance by ordering a review of a major nuclear submarine pact between the UK, the US and Australia.
The president has ordered officials to look into Aukus, which was signed by his predecessor Joe Biden and is intended to secure the Pacific against Chinese aggression.
It involves multi-billion-pound commitments to build new nuclear-powered submarines, with the Ministry of Defence already announcing its intention to build up to 12 submarines in last week's Strategic Defence Review.
But these plans have been thrown into doubt after the US defence department announced a probe to ensure Aukus meets the President's 'America First' agenda.
The review is being led by Elbridge Colby, who is close to President Trump and is a long-term sceptic of the agreement.
A UK Government spokesman sought to play down the prospect of an American withdrawal from the deal today, saying Aukus was 'one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades'.
They added: 'It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK did last year.'
But Helen Maguire, the Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman, said: 'Trump's decision to review the AUKUS submarine pact has thrown another grenade into our security partnership.
'Even in the face of an imperial Putin and the rising threat posed by China, this White House simply can't be relied upon to support our collective defence.
'Our national security demands that we ramp up talks with our Commonwealth friends and work to plug the gap that the US is threatening to leave in European and global security.
'Starmer must meet urgently with Prime Minister Albanese to develop contingency plans for AUKUS if Trump withdraws from the treaty.' Announced in 2021, Aukus involves the three nations building a new generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines and cooperating in other areas of advanced defence technology.
The deal will also see Australia buy three Virginia-class submarines from the US ahead of the new vessels being built.
That provision has led some in Washington, including Mr Colby, to question the deal on the grounds that the US may need those submarines if it finds itself in a war with China over Taiwan.
But last month, the new US ambassador to London used his first major speech in the job to back Aukus.
Warren Stephens told an audience in Parliament, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, that the US was 'proud to stand alongside Britain and Australia, two of our closest allies, as we deepen our collaboration to respond to a changing world'.
Relations between the US and Australia have soured over tariffs. America has also demanded Australia increase defence spending and wants to sell older submarines to Australia on favourable terms.
Last night former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord West said: 'Aukus is extremely important for the strategic situation in the Pacific and very important for Britain as a way of us moving into our next generation of submarines.
'The US had had concerns about selling its submarines to Australia, so it is not entirely unexpected that President Trump would want to look at this. Hopefully this can be resolved and we all move on together as part of the alliance.'
The deal is regarded as a pillar of security co-operation. But concerns have been raised in the US over the rate of submarine production and Australia's reluctance to commit to a 'no holds barred' response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
The US is committed to selling up to five boats to Australia, vessels which many in the US believe should be retained by the US Navy.
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