Trump endorses AUKUS defence pact with Australian financial support
Washington: President Donald Trump supports the AUKUS defence pact and appreciates Australia's financial support for American naval shipbuilding, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said, as the US received its first $800 million down payment from Australia for its future submarine production.
Defence Minister Richard Marles, who is also deputy prime minister, became the first foreign counterpart to meet Hegseth since his controversial confirmation to the role, as he shored up the new administration's commitment to AUKUS during a trip to Washington.
During their meeting at the Pentagon, also attended by Australia's ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, Hegseth delivered the first clear indication Trump supports the deal.
"The president is very aware [and] supportive of AUKUS," Hegseth said. "[He] recognises the importance of the defence industrial base ... the investment Australia is willing to make. It enhances our [the US's] ability in the subterranean space, but also our allies and partners.
