Australia's Albanese says AUKUS remains 'full steam ahead' after Trump call

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that the AUKUS defense pact, a collaboration between Australia, the United States, and Britain, remains fully committed to advancing. During a call with US President Donald Trump, Albanese urged him to exempt Australia from all tariffs, which he said the president agreed to consider.

Both leaders expressed confidence that AUKUS would continue to benefit all three nations, marking it as Australia's largest defense project. The pact includes the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, with the United States providing several Virginia-class submarines beginning next year and Britain and Australia constructing a new class of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine.

Australia has committed A$368 billion (US$260 billion) over three decades to AUKUS. Despite concerns from China, who views the pact as dangerous and potentially leading to a regional arms race, Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby reported a deep alignment of thinking between the US and Australia, with a strong focus on the Australian side to meet targets.