The future of the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, Britain and the U.S. ¡ª and with it Canberra¡¯s plans to acquire American nuclear-powered submarines ¡ª could be at stake as Washington reviews the initiative to ensure it aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump¡¯s ¡°America first¡± agenda.
Announced late Wednesday by a Pentagon spokesperson, the decision, likely to raise eyebrows among U.S. allies and partners, was swiftly criticized by congressional Democrats but downplayed by Canberra.
¡°The Department is reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous (Joe Biden) administration is aligned with the president¡¯s America First agenda,¡± the spokesperson told The Japan Times in an emailed statement.
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