Australia's AUKUS boost as politicians on both sides send message to Trump
Story by Patrick Brischetto
Politicians from both major parties in the United States are urging the Trump administration to maintain the three-way AUKUS security partnership designed to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
It is a promising sign for Australia, which has made moves to shore up the alliance in recent weeks.
Late last month, Australia and the United Kingdom signed a 50-year treaty to help strengthen the alliance.
Two weeks ago, the Department of Defence announced it would review AUKUS, the 4-year-old pact signed by Joe Biden with Australia and the U.K.
The announcement means the Republican administration is looking closely at a partnership that many believe is critical to the US strategy to push back China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. The review is expected to be completed in the fall.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared at a congressional hearing in Washington DC last month, where he warned of the threat China poses in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia has now received support from important figures on both sides of American politics.
“AUKUS is essential to strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and advancing the undersea capabilities that will be central to ensuring peace and stability," Republican Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan and Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois wrote in a July 22 letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Moolenaar chairs the House of Representatives panel on China and Krishnamoorthi is its top Democrat.
The review comes as the Trump administration works to rebalance its global security concerns while struggling with a hollowed-out industrial base that has hamstrung US capabilities to build enough warships.
The review is being led by Elbridge Colby, a Pentagon official, who has expressed scepticism about the partnership.
“If we can produce the attack submarines in sufficient number and sufficient speed, then great. But if we can’t, that becomes a very difficult problem," Colby said during his confirmation hearing in March.
“This is getting back to restoring our defence industrial capacity so that we don’t have to face these awful choices but rather can be in a position where we can produce not only for ourselves, but for our allies."
Story by Patrick Brischetto
Politicians from both major parties in the United States are urging the Trump administration to maintain the three-way AUKUS security partnership designed to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
It is a promising sign for Australia, which has made moves to shore up the alliance in recent weeks.
Late last month, Australia and the United Kingdom signed a 50-year treaty to help strengthen the alliance.
Two weeks ago, the Department of Defence announced it would review AUKUS, the 4-year-old pact signed by Joe Biden with Australia and the U.K.
The announcement means the Republican administration is looking closely at a partnership that many believe is critical to the US strategy to push back China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. The review is expected to be completed in the fall.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared at a congressional hearing in Washington DC last month, where he warned of the threat China poses in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia has now received support from important figures on both sides of American politics.
“AUKUS is essential to strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and advancing the undersea capabilities that will be central to ensuring peace and stability," Republican Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan and Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois wrote in a July 22 letter to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Moolenaar chairs the House of Representatives panel on China and Krishnamoorthi is its top Democrat.
The review comes as the Trump administration works to rebalance its global security concerns while struggling with a hollowed-out industrial base that has hamstrung US capabilities to build enough warships.
The review is being led by Elbridge Colby, a Pentagon official, who has expressed scepticism about the partnership.
“If we can produce the attack submarines in sufficient number and sufficient speed, then great. But if we can’t, that becomes a very difficult problem," Colby said during his confirmation hearing in March.
“This is getting back to restoring our defence industrial capacity so that we don’t have to face these awful choices but rather can be in a position where we can produce not only for ourselves, but for our allies."
17 days ago
