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Australia's Albanese says AUKUS remains 'full steam ahead' after Trump call

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the AUKUS defense pact is proceeding as planned after a call with U.S. President Donald Trump.
  • Albanese urged Trump to grant Australia full exemption from U.S. tariffs, a request the president agreed to consider.
  • The AUKUS pact, aimed at countering China's influence, involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines and significant defense investments.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has affirmed that the AUKUS defense pact is moving forward "full steam ahead" following a productive phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement, a cornerstone of Australia's defense strategy, involves collaboration with the United States and Britain to deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

We reviewed the significant progress that has been made under AUKUS, which remains full steam ahead.

— Anthony AlbanesePrime Minister Albanese's statement on the AUKUS pact's progress

During the call, Albanese pressed Trump for a complete exemption for Australia from all U.S. tariffs. "I did ask that Australia's position as a friend of the United States be considered and the president agreed that he would give consideration to my request," Albanese told reporters in Canberra, describing the discussion as "constructive."

The AUKUS pact, established in 2021, is Australia's most significant defense undertaking to date. It includes plans for U.S.-commanded Virginia-class submarines to be based in Australia starting next year, the sale of several Virginia-class submarines to Australia around 2030, and a joint project with Britain to build a new class of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. Canberra has committed approximately A$368 billion over three decades to the pact, including substantial investments in U.S. and British production facilities.

I did ask that Australia's position as a friend of the United States be considered and the president agreed that he would give consideration to my request.

— Anthony AlbanesePrime Minister Albanese on his request for tariff exemption

Widely seen as a measure to counter China's expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region, AUKUS has drawn criticism from Beijing, which has labeled the pact as dangerous and warned of a potential regional arms race. The leaders also discussed other bilateral issues, including the conflict with Iran and recent defense alliances Australia has forged with Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

So I put the case as strongly as I could. It was a constructive discussion about why Australia should get at least the best treatment.

— Anthony AlbanesePrime Minister Albanese describing his conversation with President Trump
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Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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