What Trump's $175 Billion Golden Dome Means for the Space Arms Race
President Trump upended years of geopolitics and domestic defense strategy when he announced he wanted to build a $175 billion missile defense shield that he's calling the 'Golden Dome.' WSJ's Shelby Holliday breaks down what it might look like, and why Trump wants it.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
US stands by Indo-Pacific allies against China 'threat'
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China, while insisting that they also contribute more to their own defence. He said Washington will bolster its defences overseas to counter what the Pentagon sees as rapidly developing threats by Beijing, particularly in its aggressive stance toward Taiwan. China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade would look like of the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as its own and the US has pledged to defend. China's army "is rehearsing for the real deal," Hegseth said on Saturday in a keynote speech at a security conference in Singapore. "We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent." Hegseth says China is training to invade Taiwan. China has a stated goal of having its military have the capability to take Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027, a deadline that is seen by experts as more of an aspirational goal than a hard war deadline. But China also has built sophisticated man-made islands in the South China Sea to support new military outposts and developed highly advanced hypersonic and space capabilities, which are driving the US to create its own space-based "Golden Dome" missile defences. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security conference hosted by the International Institute for Security Studies, Hegseth said China is no longer just building up its military forces to take Taiwan, it's "actively training for it, every day". Hegseth also called out China for its ambitions in Latin America, particularly its efforts to increase its influence over the Panama Canal. He urged countries in the region to increase defence spending to levels similar to the five per cent of their gross domestic product European nations are now pressed to contribute. "We must all do our part," Hegseth said. In the last few months the Trump administration has taken a Patriot missile defence battalion out of the Indo-Pacific in order to send it to the Middle East, a massive logistical operation that required 73 military cargo aircraft flights, and sent Coast Guard ships back to the US to help defend the US-Mexico border. Hegseth was asked why the US pulled those resources if the Indo-Pacific is the priority theatre for the United States. He did not directly answer but said the shift of resources was necessary to defend against Houthi missile attacks launched from Yemen, and to bolster protections against illegal immigration into the US At the same time, he stressed the need for American allies and partners to step up their own defence spending and preparations, saying the US was not interested in going it alone. "Ultimately a strong, resolute and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage," he said. "China envies what we have together, and it sees what we can collectively bring to bear on defence, but it's up to all of us to ensure that we live up to that potential by investing." The Indo-Pacific nations caught in between have tried to balance relations with both the US and China over the years. Beijing is the primary trading partner for many, but is also feared as a regional bully, in part due to its increasingly aggressive claims on natural resources such as critical fisheries. Hegseth said committing US support for Indo-Pacific nations would not require local governments to align with the West on cultural or climate issues. It is not clear if the US can or wants to supplant China as the region's primary economic driver. But Hegseth's push follows Trump's visit to the Middle East, which resulted in billions of dollars in new defence agreements. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China, while insisting that they also contribute more to their own defence. He said Washington will bolster its defences overseas to counter what the Pentagon sees as rapidly developing threats by Beijing, particularly in its aggressive stance toward Taiwan. China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade would look like of the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as its own and the US has pledged to defend. China's army "is rehearsing for the real deal," Hegseth said on Saturday in a keynote speech at a security conference in Singapore. "We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent." Hegseth says China is training to invade Taiwan. China has a stated goal of having its military have the capability to take Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027, a deadline that is seen by experts as more of an aspirational goal than a hard war deadline. But China also has built sophisticated man-made islands in the South China Sea to support new military outposts and developed highly advanced hypersonic and space capabilities, which are driving the US to create its own space-based "Golden Dome" missile defences. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security conference hosted by the International Institute for Security Studies, Hegseth said China is no longer just building up its military forces to take Taiwan, it's "actively training for it, every day". Hegseth also called out China for its ambitions in Latin America, particularly its efforts to increase its influence over the Panama Canal. He urged countries in the region to increase defence spending to levels similar to the five per cent of their gross domestic product European nations are now pressed to contribute. "We must all do our part," Hegseth said. In the last few months the Trump administration has taken a Patriot missile defence battalion out of the Indo-Pacific in order to send it to the Middle East, a massive logistical operation that required 73 military cargo aircraft flights, and sent Coast Guard ships back to the US to help defend the US-Mexico border. Hegseth was asked why the US pulled those resources if the Indo-Pacific is the priority theatre for the United States. He did not directly answer but said the shift of resources was necessary to defend against Houthi missile attacks launched from Yemen, and to bolster protections against illegal immigration into the US At the same time, he stressed the need for American allies and partners to step up their own defence spending and preparations, saying the US was not interested in going it alone. "Ultimately a strong, resolute and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage," he said. "China envies what we have together, and it sees what we can collectively bring to bear on defence, but it's up to all of us to ensure that we live up to that potential by investing." The Indo-Pacific nations caught in between have tried to balance relations with both the US and China over the years. Beijing is the primary trading partner for many, but is also feared as a regional bully, in part due to its increasingly aggressive claims on natural resources such as critical fisheries. Hegseth said committing US support for Indo-Pacific nations would not require local governments to align with the West on cultural or climate issues. It is not clear if the US can or wants to supplant China as the region's primary economic driver. But Hegseth's push follows Trump's visit to the Middle East, which resulted in billions of dollars in new defence agreements. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China, while insisting that they also contribute more to their own defence. He said Washington will bolster its defences overseas to counter what the Pentagon sees as rapidly developing threats by Beijing, particularly in its aggressive stance toward Taiwan. China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade would look like of the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as its own and the US has pledged to defend. China's army "is rehearsing for the real deal," Hegseth said on Saturday in a keynote speech at a security conference in Singapore. "We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent." Hegseth says China is training to invade Taiwan. China has a stated goal of having its military have the capability to take Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027, a deadline that is seen by experts as more of an aspirational goal than a hard war deadline. But China also has built sophisticated man-made islands in the South China Sea to support new military outposts and developed highly advanced hypersonic and space capabilities, which are driving the US to create its own space-based "Golden Dome" missile defences. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security conference hosted by the International Institute for Security Studies, Hegseth said China is no longer just building up its military forces to take Taiwan, it's "actively training for it, every day". Hegseth also called out China for its ambitions in Latin America, particularly its efforts to increase its influence over the Panama Canal. He urged countries in the region to increase defence spending to levels similar to the five per cent of their gross domestic product European nations are now pressed to contribute. "We must all do our part," Hegseth said. In the last few months the Trump administration has taken a Patriot missile defence battalion out of the Indo-Pacific in order to send it to the Middle East, a massive logistical operation that required 73 military cargo aircraft flights, and sent Coast Guard ships back to the US to help defend the US-Mexico border. Hegseth was asked why the US pulled those resources if the Indo-Pacific is the priority theatre for the United States. He did not directly answer but said the shift of resources was necessary to defend against Houthi missile attacks launched from Yemen, and to bolster protections against illegal immigration into the US At the same time, he stressed the need for American allies and partners to step up their own defence spending and preparations, saying the US was not interested in going it alone. "Ultimately a strong, resolute and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage," he said. "China envies what we have together, and it sees what we can collectively bring to bear on defence, but it's up to all of us to ensure that we live up to that potential by investing." The Indo-Pacific nations caught in between have tried to balance relations with both the US and China over the years. Beijing is the primary trading partner for many, but is also feared as a regional bully, in part due to its increasingly aggressive claims on natural resources such as critical fisheries. Hegseth said committing US support for Indo-Pacific nations would not require local governments to align with the West on cultural or climate issues. It is not clear if the US can or wants to supplant China as the region's primary economic driver. But Hegseth's push follows Trump's visit to the Middle East, which resulted in billions of dollars in new defence agreements. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China, while insisting that they also contribute more to their own defence. He said Washington will bolster its defences overseas to counter what the Pentagon sees as rapidly developing threats by Beijing, particularly in its aggressive stance toward Taiwan. China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade would look like of the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as its own and the US has pledged to defend. China's army "is rehearsing for the real deal," Hegseth said on Saturday in a keynote speech at a security conference in Singapore. "We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent." Hegseth says China is training to invade Taiwan. China has a stated goal of having its military have the capability to take Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027, a deadline that is seen by experts as more of an aspirational goal than a hard war deadline. But China also has built sophisticated man-made islands in the South China Sea to support new military outposts and developed highly advanced hypersonic and space capabilities, which are driving the US to create its own space-based "Golden Dome" missile defences. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security conference hosted by the International Institute for Security Studies, Hegseth said China is no longer just building up its military forces to take Taiwan, it's "actively training for it, every day". Hegseth also called out China for its ambitions in Latin America, particularly its efforts to increase its influence over the Panama Canal. He urged countries in the region to increase defence spending to levels similar to the five per cent of their gross domestic product European nations are now pressed to contribute. "We must all do our part," Hegseth said. In the last few months the Trump administration has taken a Patriot missile defence battalion out of the Indo-Pacific in order to send it to the Middle East, a massive logistical operation that required 73 military cargo aircraft flights, and sent Coast Guard ships back to the US to help defend the US-Mexico border. Hegseth was asked why the US pulled those resources if the Indo-Pacific is the priority theatre for the United States. He did not directly answer but said the shift of resources was necessary to defend against Houthi missile attacks launched from Yemen, and to bolster protections against illegal immigration into the US At the same time, he stressed the need for American allies and partners to step up their own defence spending and preparations, saying the US was not interested in going it alone. "Ultimately a strong, resolute and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage," he said. "China envies what we have together, and it sees what we can collectively bring to bear on defence, but it's up to all of us to ensure that we live up to that potential by investing." The Indo-Pacific nations caught in between have tried to balance relations with both the US and China over the years. Beijing is the primary trading partner for many, but is also feared as a regional bully, in part due to its increasingly aggressive claims on natural resources such as critical fisheries. Hegseth said committing US support for Indo-Pacific nations would not require local governments to align with the West on cultural or climate issues. It is not clear if the US can or wants to supplant China as the region's primary economic driver. But Hegseth's push follows Trump's visit to the Middle East, which resulted in billions of dollars in new defence agreements.
SBS Australia
an hour ago
- SBS Australia
Why Elon Musk's White House farewell has people talking
Elon Musk's farewell at the White House, which marked the end of his short tenure as a special government employee, has been overshadowed by a black eye, problems at Tesla, and allegations of drug use. In a press conference with Donald Trump on Friday local time, the United States president praised Musk as "one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced". But it was an unusual briefing, with Musk dodging questions about his appearance, while receiving a present that Trump reserves for only "very special people". Musk told reporters the injury was from his 5-year-old son, after he told the boy: "'Go ahead, punch me in the face.' And he did". Musk also received a large golden key in a box, a gift from Trump acknowledging his "very great talents". So, if things appear amicable between Musk and Trump, why are they parting ways? Musk has not given a specific reason for his departure from the Trump administration. He announced on Wednesday that his "scheduled time" in the Trump administration had come to an end and thanked Trump for "the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending". Meanwhile, his electric vehicle company, Tesla, has been in trouble, with declining sales and stock prices falling 12 per cent this year. Tesla shareholders had written an open letter to Musk, describing the company as in "crisis" and demanding he return to work a standard 40-hour week. During the press conference, Musk was also asked about reports of extensive drug use, which the New York Times claimed involved ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms. The Times reported on Friday that Musk had used these drugs while in office, citing White House insiders and people close to the billionaire. The DOGE leader developed what those sources described to the Times as a serious ketamine habit. Musk dismissed the claims outright, saying it was "fake news". "The New York Times? Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer prize for false reporting on the Russiagate? "I think it is. That New York Times? Let's move on."
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Unjustified': tariff hike risks damaging Aussie steel
Australia risks becoming a dumping ground for cheap steel as pressure mounts for the prime minister to meet with Donald Trump following his "unjustified" doubling of tariffs on steel imports. Mr Trump on Saturday announced plans to increase tariffs on foreign imports of steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The decision could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Its peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." Trade Minister Don Farrell says the tariffs are unjustified and not the act of a friend. "They are an act of economic self-harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade," he said on Saturday. "We will continue to engage and advocate strongly for the removal of the tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said the latest move was concerning for Australian jobs The coalition expected the US to honour its obligations under both nations' free trade agreement, he added. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," Mr Hogan said in a statement. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." Labor has sought to temper expectations on whether it can land a deal with the US to remove the tariffs, like it did after nine months of lobbying in the first Trump administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. Australia will continue to push for Mr Trump to drop his tariffs after a US federal court blocked his Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency". Australia risks becoming a dumping ground for cheap steel as pressure mounts for the prime minister to meet with Donald Trump following his "unjustified" doubling of tariffs on steel imports. Mr Trump on Saturday announced plans to increase tariffs on foreign imports of steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The decision could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Its peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." Trade Minister Don Farrell says the tariffs are unjustified and not the act of a friend. "They are an act of economic self-harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade," he said on Saturday. "We will continue to engage and advocate strongly for the removal of the tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said the latest move was concerning for Australian jobs The coalition expected the US to honour its obligations under both nations' free trade agreement, he added. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," Mr Hogan said in a statement. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." Labor has sought to temper expectations on whether it can land a deal with the US to remove the tariffs, like it did after nine months of lobbying in the first Trump administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. Australia will continue to push for Mr Trump to drop his tariffs after a US federal court blocked his Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency". Australia risks becoming a dumping ground for cheap steel as pressure mounts for the prime minister to meet with Donald Trump following his "unjustified" doubling of tariffs on steel imports. Mr Trump on Saturday announced plans to increase tariffs on foreign imports of steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The decision could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Its peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." Trade Minister Don Farrell says the tariffs are unjustified and not the act of a friend. "They are an act of economic self-harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade," he said on Saturday. "We will continue to engage and advocate strongly for the removal of the tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said the latest move was concerning for Australian jobs The coalition expected the US to honour its obligations under both nations' free trade agreement, he added. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," Mr Hogan said in a statement. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." Labor has sought to temper expectations on whether it can land a deal with the US to remove the tariffs, like it did after nine months of lobbying in the first Trump administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. Australia will continue to push for Mr Trump to drop his tariffs after a US federal court blocked his Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency". Australia risks becoming a dumping ground for cheap steel as pressure mounts for the prime minister to meet with Donald Trump following his "unjustified" doubling of tariffs on steel imports. Mr Trump on Saturday announced plans to increase tariffs on foreign imports of steel from 25 to 50 per cent to "further secure the steel industry in the United States". The decision could impact 100,000 Australian jobs, with the sector exporting more than $414 million worth of products to the US in 2024. Its peak body says it will continue to work with the federal government to push for an exemption from the Trump administration. "The subsequent disruptions to global steel trade could see Australia become a dumping ground for imported steel," Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain said. "And it could exacerbate the surge in imported low-priced steel that is damaging the industry." Trade Minister Don Farrell says the tariffs are unjustified and not the act of a friend. "They are an act of economic self-harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade," he said on Saturday. "We will continue to engage and advocate strongly for the removal of the tariffs." Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said the latest move was concerning for Australian jobs The coalition expected the US to honour its obligations under both nations' free trade agreement, he added. "The Albanese government needs to double its efforts to protect our steel industry and local jobs for our steel workers," Mr Hogan said in a statement. "This is why it is imperative that the Australian prime minister personally meets with President Trump ... to develop a personal rapport with the United States president and protect Australian industries." Labor has sought to temper expectations on whether it can land a deal with the US to remove the tariffs, like it did after nine months of lobbying in the first Trump administration. The US imported 289 product categories in 2024, costing $US147 billion ($A229 billion), with nearly two-thirds of those aluminium and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data from the US International Trade Commission. The 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were among the earliest implemented following Mr Trump's return to the White House in January and came into effect in March. Australia will continue to push for Mr Trump to drop his tariffs after a US federal court blocked his Liberation Day taxes on imported goods from going into effect. Goods from Australia are subject to a 10 per cent baseline tariff, while all steel and aluminium imports to the US face 25 per cent tariffs before Mr Trump's latest announcement. The New York-based Court of International Trade found the US president had overstepped his authority by imposing the tariffs. The administration launched an appeal, decrying "unelected judges" should not decide how to address a "national emergency".
