Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election could cast doubt on one of the most ambitious defense agreements of recent times.
According to Politico, the agreement to develop nuclear submarines worth $369 billion has become a key element of the strategy to deter China in the Indo-Pacific region. However, Trump's future policy regarding this agreement remains uncertain.
The AUKUS pact, signed during Joe Biden's presidency, stipulates that the U.S. will share advanced technologies for building nuclear submarines with Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as conduct important operations to strengthen alliances against China. Yet, despite significant support in the U.S. Congress, Trump has not yet articulated a clear stance on this agreement.
There are concerns that the new president may attempt to renegotiate the terms of AUKUS. This is partly due to the "America First" ideology, which may not favor reducing the U.S. naval fleet to meet the needs of allies. Britain and Australia are trying to assess how changes in administration could impact the agreement.
Experts note that while Trump is likely to continue the fight against China and support alliances with industrialized nations, he may question the rationale for ongoing U.S. military involvement in global initiatives without direct benefits for the country.
Source: politico.