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Mixed signals from the
United States on AUKUS
23 July 2025
The original due date for the Pentagon’s AUKUS review coincided with the first day of Prime Minister Albanese’s trip to China. While the deadline for the review has been extended, the United States has been sending mixed messages in terms of AUKUS expectations.
Shortly before Albanese’s trip to China, US Under Secretary for Defense, and head of the AUKUS review, Elbridge Colby amped up language about increased defence support from US allies in the Indo-Pacific and their commitment to defend Taiwan militarily, if needed. However, as USSC Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Prof. Peter Dean told The Australian, “The US won’t pre-commit over Taiwan and despite what the Under Secretary of Defence may say, he does not speak for President Trump and we have no clear indications where the US President stands.”
When President Trump moved his shipbuilding efforts from the National Security Council to the Office of Management and Budget, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the person overseeing submarine production had previously questioned Australia’s commitment to AUKUS, saying Australians had been “noticeably fickle.”
This push and pull occurs amidst the backdrop of increased efforts from Congress to sure up support for AUKUS. Just this week, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is testifying before the US House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the US and Chinese Communist Party to make the case for AUKUS. The heads of the congressional committee have written to Defense Secretary Hegseth to argue for AUKUS, saying, it was “a key step to dramatically enhance the collective defense of the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom in the face of the CCP’s ongoing aggression.”
The US stance on the AUKUS pact will likely be determined by President Trump’s assessment, further adding to pressure for a face-to-face meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and the US president.
Mari Koeck
Director, Engagement and Impact
Lead image: Shortly before Albanese’s trip to China, US Under Secretary for Defense, and head of the AUKUS review, Elbridge Colby amped up language about increased defence support from US allies in the Indo-Pacific and their commitment to defend Taiwan militarily, if
needed.
(Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu for Getty Images)
"No one at the Pentagon is asking for a blank check from our allies. Rather, the United States and our allies all benefit from a reasonable expectation of what contributions we can anticipate each other to make."
US Under Secretary for Defense Policy Elbridge Colby on X | 22 July 2025
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