Albanese confident on AUKUS after British leader says it will proceed

17/6/2025 13:14

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed comments by his British counterpart at the G7 that Britain and the United States will proceed with the AUKUS nuclear submarine treaty with Australia, despite a Pentagon review.



"We're proceeding with that, it's a really important deal to both of us," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters when asked about AUKUS, standing next to U.S. President Donald Trump after they met on Monday to discuss trade and security.



He added, "I think the president is doing a review, we did a review when we came into government so that makes good sense to me."



Albanese had been scheduled to hold his first meeting with Trump the next day to press support for AUKUS, however the White House announced Trump would leave the G7 early and Australian officials said they did not expect a meeting would happen.



Albanese's spokesperson said in a statement, "Given what is occurring the Middle East, this is understandable."



Albanese earlier told reporters that AUKUS held "great advantages" for the three partners.