No Pledge Made to Assist US If Conflict Over Taiwan Breaks Out, Says Australian Defence Minister

Defence Minister Richard Marles speaks at a press conference in front of the USS Asheville, a Los Angeles-class nuclear powered fast attack submarine during a tour of HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia, on March 16, 2023. AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Australia did not make any commitment to the United States in the event of a Taiwan conflict in exchange for access to its Virginia-class nuclear submarines, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

“Absolutely not. And I couldn’t be more unequivocal than that,” Marles told ABC Insiders.