Australian PM confident in AUKUS submarine deal despite US tariffs

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is confident that the agreements to establish Australia's nuclear-powered submarine fleet under the AUKUS alliance (which involves Australia, the UK, and the US) will be successfully carried out, despite the recent introduction of new tariffs by US President Donald Trump on several countries.

The Prime Minister expressed this assurance during a press briefing with journalists, Caliber.Az reports, referring to foreign media.

"I have full confidence in the AUKUS agreements because I had direct discussions with the President of the United States, along with over 100 members of both the US Congress and Senate during my official visit to the United States," Albanese stated.

He also emphasized that the AUKUS partnership serves not only Australia's national interests but also aligns with the national interests of the United States. While acknowledging that the new tariffs are a temporary issue that must be taken into account, he stressed the importance of continuing negotiations. "We have clearly communicated that we believe US tariffs on Australia should be zero," he added.

Earlier, Reuters had reported that the delivery of nuclear submarines to Australia under the AUKUS agreement might be at risk due to the tariffs imposed by the US on imports. The report also highlighted that the transfer of Virginia-class submarines from the US Navy to Australia could face complications unless Washington secures replacements, as Canberra is unwilling to become embroiled in the ongoing US-China rivalry.

The AUKUS partnership, established in 2021, aims for joint development of advanced weapons systems and the creation of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet for Australia. The UK is set to begin building a new class of submarines, SSN-AUKUS, which will be used by the navies of the UK and Australia. After 2030, construction of these submarines will shift to Australia, with Canberra expected to receive its first domestically produced submarine in the early 2040s. Until then, Australia's submarine capabilities will be enhanced by the purchase of three Virginia-class submarines from the US.

By Tamilla Hasanova