Australia 'confident' AUKUS goes forward
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said he is "confident" that AUKUS will proceed. This comes after the Trump administration launched a review into the trilateral security pact.
A US Department of Defense official told NHK on Wednesday that the review is to ensure the pact aligns with President Donald Trump's "America first" agenda.
The AUKUS defense pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States was reached in 2021 during the Biden administration. Under the deal, Australia would acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines from the US in the 2030s.
Defense Minister Marles downplayed the news saying it is a multi-decade program where governments come and go. And "when new government's come into place I think you will see them undertake reviews of this kind and that's fine."
The Financial Times reported that the review is being led by Elbridge Colby, a senior defense department official who has described himself as skeptical of the pact.
The review comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called upon Australia to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP.
An anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looms on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit starting Sunday in Canada. Local media points out that Trump may use the review to pressure Australia into increasing the defense budget.
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