Marles reported that interactions with Trump’s camp have reassured Australia of continued support for AUKUS…reports Asian Lite News
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles expressed confidence on Wednesday that a re-elected Donald Trump would support the AUKUS security alliance and its nuclear submarine deal.
Following discussions with Trump’s team, Marles is optimistic that Trump would uphold the A$368 billion ($243 billion) AUKUS deal, aimed at acquiring nuclear-powered submarines to counter China’s influence in the Pacific.
The deal includes purchasing three to five US Virginia Class submarines in the 2030s, despite concerns that Trump’s America First policy might prioritize US Navy needs. However, Marles reported that interactions with Trump’s camp have reassured Australia of continued support for AUKUS.
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Marles highlighted bipartisan backing for AUKUS, noting that Republican support, including from Trump allies, was evident in the passage of AUKUS legislation last December.
Two weeks ago, South Korean Vice Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho vowed to strengthen defence cooperation with Australia, his office said, amid growing arms industry ties between the two countries.
Kim made the remark during a bilateral defence conference in Canberra, which discussed key threats in the Indo-Pacific region and ways to bolster cooperation between the militaries and defence industries of the two countries, Yonhap news agency reported.
South Korean defence companies, including shipbuilders Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, also participated in the conference to feature their products.
“Amid a grave global security environment, (the conference) presented an opportunity to further strengthen relations between South Korea and Australia,” Kim said. “(We) will make further efforts to strengthen bilateral defence and arms industry cooperation.”
The two countries have bolstered defence ties in recent years, with Canberra signing major deals to purchase South Korean weapons systems, including the Redback infantry fighting vehicle and K9 howitzers.
South Korea has sought closer security ties with Australia, with their top diplomats and defence chiefs discussing Seoul’s potential participation in part of the AUKUS security partnership in May.
The United States, Britain and Australia launched a security pact known as AUKUS in 2021 to counter China’s assertiveness.
Seoul has welcomed considerations of its possible inclusion in Pillar 2 of the partnership, which covers cooperation in advanced technologies.
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