Australia PM Albanese says AUKUS pact 'full steam ahead' after Trump call

During the call, both leaders affirmed their commitment to the AUKUS agreement, a defence pact between Australia, the U.S., and Britain that will provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. Albanese described the discussion as "very productive, constructive, lengthy and substantial," emphasizing that Australia's position as a U.S. ally should warrant favorable treatment regarding tariffs.

The AUKUS pact, Australia's largest-ever defence undertaking, includes plans for U.S.-commanded Virginia-class submarines to be based in Australia from next year, sales of several Virginia-class submarines to Australia around 2030, and a joint effort with Britain to build a new class of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. Australia has committed A$368 billion over three decades to the initiative, including investments in British and U.S. production facilities. Formed in 2021, AUKUS is intended to counter China's increasing influence in the Indo-Pacific, a move that China has criticized as dangerous and potentially fueling an arms race.

In addition to AUKUS, Albanese and Trump discussed the conflict in Iran and Australia's recent defence alliances with Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Albanese reiterated his government's desire for an end to the Middle East conflict and stressed that Iran should not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons.