Penny Wong, the head of Australian diplomacy, says she is “confident” that the election of Donald Trump will not undermine the Aukus defense alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States .
The three countries established this tripartite pact in September 2021 in order to strengthen their military ties and counter China’s influence in the South Pacific. In particular, it plans to equip Canberra with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines from 2040.
“I have great confidence that Aukus will continue to be supported” [par les deux partis] of the United States Congress, declared the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, assuring that Washington and Canberra both wanted an Asia-Pacific region “stable” et “peaceful“.
“We have been talking with both political camps in the United States for a long time about this project“, Penny Wong told Australian media. “We are very pleased to see the progress we have made with the support of Republicans and Democrats alike“, she added.
Good to speak this morning with President Trump to personally congratulate him on his election victory.
We talked about the importance of the Alliance, and the strength of the Australia-US relationship in security, AUKUS, trade and investment.
I look forward to working…
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 7, 2024
Some observers fear that Donald Trump will get rid of this military alliance or try to modify its content, in line with his “America First” policy in matters of foreign relations. China has sharply criticized the Aukus security pact. She believes that the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra is a violation of nuclear non-proliferation rules, and sees it as a threat to its security.
Thursday, November 7, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated on X that he congratulated Donald Trump on his re-election during a call and spoke with him about American-Australian relations, “of Aukus, trade and investments“. “I look forward to us working together for the benefit of both our countries“wrote Anthony Albanese.
Read also: Towards a new bilateral treaty between Australia and the United Kingdom
