Australia’s huge financial commitment to the Aukus pact may work in its favour, but Trump’s deal-making approach means anything is possible
The Aukus agreement, unveiled in 2021 by Australia, Britain and the United States to counter China’s expanding naval influence, would enable Canberra to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines from the 2030s.
Valued at US$240 billion, the deal would elevate Australia into the select ranks of nations with nuclear-powered underwater strike capability.
But Rubio’s assurances suggest the review is more likely to result in recalibration – including tighter safeguards on technology transfer and cost-sharing – than outright cancellation, according to Troy Lee-Brown, a research fellow at the University of Western Australia’s Defence and Security Institute.
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