Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet Donald Trump and deliver major defence funding announcements amid AUKUS scare
On Thursday, the US announced a formal review of the more than $350 billion AUKUS arrangement after the Albanese government resisted demands to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
According to The Australian, Mr Albanese will fly out of Canberra on Friday for a critical week-long trip which will take him to Fiji, Canada and the US.
The trip marks the first time Mr Albanese will come face-to-face with President Trump.
Mr Albanese will on Friday meet with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and is expected to shake hands on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, among others.
The Pentagon's announcement to hold a 30-day snap review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal came as G7 leaders prepare to meet over the weekend.
It will be led by Defence Under Secretary for Policy, Elbridge Colby, a vocal sceptic of the arrangement among Trump's senior policy officials.
With increasing tensions between the US and Iran, it is understood President Trump is yet to confirm any bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, which includes Mr Albanese.
However, The Australian reported government officials in Washington said a meeting between the pair was likely to proceed after Mr Albanese resisted calls to up defence spending.
The outlet revealed there were concerns held by the Trump administration over giving nuclear submarines to a country which appeared unwilling to assist in any conflict which may involve Taiwan.
Additionally, AUKUS has been viewed as 'Australia's idea' which is at odds with Trump's 'America First' outlook, with the onus on Canberra to now justify its existence.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has defended the Albanese government's commitment to AUKUS after the Trump administration launched a review into the $368 billion deal.
'We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review,' Mr Marles said in a statement response to the US review.
'It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking including progress and delivery.
'Our engagement with the Trump administration and across the full political spectrum of the United States has shown clear and consistent support for AUKUS.'
SkyNews.com.au has contacted the Prime Minister for comment.
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