Albanese Reaffirms AUKUS Commitment Ahead of First Meeting with Trump, Stresses Indo-Pacific Security

 Calgary, June 16 – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized on Monday that expanding the fleet of nuclear-powered submarines operated by Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States will enhance security across the Indo-Pacific and aligns squarely with U.S. strategic interests.

Speaking to reporters in Calgary ahead of his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Albanese said, “The presence of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS will contribute significantly to regional stability. This is unequivocally in the interests of the United States.”

Albanese is expected to underscore Australia's financial commitments to bolster U.S. industrial capacity for submarine production, highlight the increased access U.S. submarines will have to Australian maintenance facilities, and reaffirm the value of America’s military presence in Darwin. “Australia is a reliable partner in promoting peace and security across the Pacific,” he noted.

However, the talks are also likely to confront points of tension. The Albanese government has resisted recent U.S. calls to raise defence spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP, with the Prime Minister reiterating that Canberra will allocate funding based on its specific capability needs.

Trade concerns will also feature prominently, with Albanese confirming plans to raise the issue of U.S. tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium exports. “Our products continue to enter the U.S. market, but consumers are simply paying more. These tariffs are acts of economic self-harm,” he remarked.

Earlier on Monday, Albanese held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, where discussions included Canada’s potential involvement in AUKUS Pillar Two, which focuses on collaboration in advanced defence technologies. The Australian leader welcomed the prospect, citing shared democratic values and long-standing defence ties. “In an increasingly uncertain world, trusted relationships matter. Australia and Canada are exactly that,” he said.

Albanese will also engage in talks with the European Union to advance negotiations on a proposed defence cooperation pact, as well as to seek progress on a long-pending free trade agreement.

Meanwhile, a new poll released by the Lowy Institute shows a sharp decline in public trust towards the United States among Australians. Just 36% of respondents said they trust the U.S. to act responsibly on the global stage—a 20-point drop from the previous year. Nonetheless, support for the AUKUS alliance remains strong, with two-thirds of Australians in favour of the trilateral pact.

As the global balance shifts, Albanese’s engagements this week signal a determined effort to strengthen strategic alliances while navigating growing geopolitical and economic complexities.