Trump ‘supportive’ of AUKUS after Australian government pays US $798m

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Trump ‘supportive’ of AUKUS after *********** government pays US $798m

US President Donald Trump has flagged his support for AUKUS after the *********** government paid the US $798m as part of the deal.

Defence Minister Richard Marles travelled to the US to meet with his US counterpart, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in part to firm up a commitment from the new Trump administration for the complex defence deal, which would see Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US.

Mr Hegseth said President Trump supported AUKUS after the Albanese government delivered a $798m payment from a $4.78bn commitment to help the US with submarine manufacturing.

“The president is very aware, supportive of AUKUS and … the investment Australia is willing to make,” Mr Hegseth said at the meeting.

Mr Marles said the pair had a “very warm meeting”.

Camera IconMinister for Defence Richard Marles travelled to the US to meet with his US counterpart, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia

“It is really clear that there is a focus on our region, our part of the world, in terms of the way in which America sees itself, in terms of expressing its leadership,” Mr Marles told Sky News.

“As part of this we talked about AUKUS and how fundamentally important it is in the contemporary expression of our alliance.

“AUKUS is playing a really important role, not only in terms of building *********** capability, building *********** capability in the provision of a long range nuclear powered submarine capability, but also building American force posture on the *********** continent, and this is a very important statement for our region.”

US Congressman and co-chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus Joe Courtney earlier said the payment “strengthened the ties of our two nations and the AUKUS agreement, ensuring the mission will endure and the US submarine industrial base can meet the demands of the security agreement”.

“At every step of the way Australia has demonstrated AUKUS is a true partnership that the US benefits from as much as our partners and allies in the region,” Mr Courtney said.

“I look forward to working with my counterparts on the Seapower Subcommittee to ensure this new investment is expeditiously made available to expand the supply chain, skill-up a talented workforce, and advance manufacturing technology.”

Mr Marles had stressed at the time of President Trump’s inauguration that AUKUS was “happening now”.

“We are continuing to build and invest in an *********** submarine industrial base capable of supporting our future nuclear-powered submarine fleet and underpinning a strong local economy over the coming decades,” Mr Marles said.

“This new AUKUS agreement now in effect will further bolster the strong continued progress the *********** government is making with AUKUS partners to deliver Australia this vital capability.”

Mr Marles said he looked “forward to reaffirming Australia’s commitment to the Alliance” ahead of his meeting in the US, where he was set to also meet with members of the US congress and other senior Administration officials.

Mr Marles and Mr Hegseth were also set to attend the Arlington National Cemetery to honour American service members and their families with a wreath.

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