UK government downplays ‘understandable’ US review of Aukus submarine deal
Aukus: UK and Australia speak out over US review of submarine deal
- Downing Street has responded to reports of a US review of the Aukus defence pact with the UK and Australia, deeming it "understandable" for America to assess the project.
- The review, led by Elbridge Colby, has raised concerns that a future Trump administration might withdraw from the agreement if it does not align with an "America first" agenda.
- A UK Government spokesperson downplayed the possibility of the US pulling out, highlighting Aukus as "one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades."
- Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated he had known about the review for some time and welcomes it, noting the UK and Australia also reviewed the deal after their elections.
- Despite some questioning the deal, the US ambassador to London, Warren Stephens, has backed Aukus, and Australia has already made the first of six $500 million payments to the US to bolster American submarine manufacturing.