Australian government downplays ‘natural’ decision by Pentagon to review Aukus defence pact

Australia’s defence minister, Richard Marles, says there is still strong support for the trilateral agreement in Washington

Defence minister Richard Marles has downplayed the Trump administration’s review into the Aukus submarines program, saying it was “natural” that the United States would examine the project but that he believed there was still strong support for the trilateral agreement in Washington DC.

The former US ambassador and Liberal treasurer Joe Hockey, who enjoyed a close relationship with Donald Trump, said the president was “transactional” and urged the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to engage more deeply when the pair meet next week.

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