The Trump administration is examining the 2021 Aukus pact to equip Australia with nuclear submarines, emphasizing an "America First" stance that could alter U.S. commitments to its allies.**
Trump Administration Reassesses Aukus Pact with Australia and Britain**
Trump Administration Reassesses Aukus Pact with Australia and Britain**
Pentagon's review raises questions about future of U.S. nuclear submarine transfer under Aukus agreement amid shifting defense priorities.**
The Trump administration is currently undertaking a review of the Aukus security pact between the United States, Britain, and Australia, which involves equipping Australia with nuclear submarines. This examination is intended to ensure that the agreement aligns with President Trump’s "America First" policy, according to a U.S. defense official. Initially established under President Biden's tenure in 2021, the pact was seen as a pivotal measure to counterbalance China's expanding military presence in the Asia Pacific region.
As part of the reassessment, the Pentagon is focusing on criteria that would prioritize U.S. military readiness, the financial contributions of allies to their own defense, and the capability of the U.S. defense industry to meet its requirements. The Financial Times first reported on this review.
Australia's Defense Minister, Richard Marles, confirmed that both Britain and Australia had been informed about the review, expressing that such evaluations are a common procedure for any incoming administration. Marles remarked on radio station ABC Melbourne that the draw of the Aukus agreement is essential for Australia’s defense strategy amid China’s increasing assertiveness. Nuclear submarines, due to their stealth and longer operational ranges, would significantly enhance Australia’s naval capabilities.
Per the agreement, Australia is expected to procure secondhand Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the U.S. in the upcoming 2030s while concurrently enhancing its own submarine manufacturing capacity with British collaboration. Nonetheless, concerns persist in both Australia and Washington regarding whether U.S. shipyards can produce enough new submarines at a sufficient pace to fulfill the transition to Australia’s fleet.
During his Senate confirmation in March, Elbridge Colby, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, expressed skepticism about the viability of the deal's logistics. He stated the importance of producing adequate attack submarines promptly to avoid complications moving forward.
Prior to the official review announcement, anxiety and uncertainty had already been mounting in Australia regarding its reliance on the United States, especially given the Trump administration's previous actions towards international relationships. Minister Marles, however, remains optimistic about the Aukus deal, asserting that cooperation with Australia is in the U.S. interest.
Michael D. Shear contributed to this report from Washington.
