A: Hey, did you hear about AUKUS?
B: Nah, what's up with it?

A: Well, the U.S. Defense Department is doing a review of the pact to make sure it aligns with Trump's "America first" policy.
B: Oh, right! That deal between Australia, the UK, and the U.S., right? They're gonna get some nuclear subs from the U.S. in the 2030s, remember?

A: Exactly! Anyway, our Defense Minister said he's still confident it'll go ahead. He said it's a long-term project and new governments sometimes do reviews.
B: I see. And who's leading this review?

A: This guy named Elbridge Colby, he's skeptical about the pact. The Financial Times reported that.
B: Ah, okay. So what does this mean for us Aussies?

A: Well, some say Trump might use this review to pressure Australia into raising our defense budget before their anticipated meeting at the G7 summit in Canada.
B: Sounds like a tricky situation! I hope everything works out, mate.
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Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said he is "confident" that AUKUS will proceed. This comes after the Trump administration launched a review into the trilateral security pact.



A US Department of Defense official told NHK on Wednesday that the review is to ensure the pact aligns with President Donald Trump's "America first" agenda.



The AUKUS defense pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States was reached in 2021 during the Biden administration. Under the deal, Australia would acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines from the US in the 2030s.



Defense Minister Marles downplayed the news saying it is a multi-decade program where governments come and go. And "when new government's come into place I think you will see them undertake reviews of this kind and that's fine."



The Financial Times reported that the review is being led by Elbridge Colby, a senior defense department official who has described himself as skeptical of the pact.



The review comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called upon Australia to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP.



An anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese looms on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit starting Sunday in Canada. Local media points out that Trump may use the review to pressure Australia into increasing the defense budget.