AUKUS Under Review as US Weighs Alignment With ‘America First’ Doctrine

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles says he is confident AUKUS will still go ahead.

(L-R) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Donald Trump. AAP Image/Dean Lewins, Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

The future of Australia’s AUKUS defence deal with the United States is in the balance after the Pentagon announced a review into whether it fits the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda.

The AUKUS deal was formulated during the Australian Morrison government era and was sealed between Australia, the UK and the United States in 2021.