While there are signs of easing in the trade dispute between Australia and China, the two countries remain fundamentally at odds when it comes to defense strategy. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin (Lloyd J. Austin) said on Monday (April 17) that the trilateral military alliance “AUKUS” between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States is a long-term path, and it also proves that the three countries enjoy shared values.
Austin and British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace discussed the possible short- and long-term implications for the US-UK alliance at the Pentagon on Monday, with the two also talking about AUKUS, which would include Australia.
Under the AUKUS agreement, starting in 2027 at the earliest, nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and the United Kingdom will take turns sailing into Australian waters. Australia will buy at least three nuclear-powered submarines from the US by the early 2030s.
China has repeatedly criticized AUKUS for its own geopolitical self-interest. The typical Cold War mentality will only stimulate the arms race, undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and damage regional peace and stability.
Austin said that the United States will never have a closer ally than the United Kingdom, and the cooperation between the two countries could not be closer. He also said that AUKUS is a long-term path and the best way to strengthen the relationship between the three countries.
“This is a historic opportunity to show how powerful we can be together working together. AUKUS demonstrates our deep commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and is a testament to our shared values and long-term investment in our forces .I believe AUKUS will break down barriers and usher in a new era of US-UK defense cooperation,” Austin said.
Wallace also said that the AUKUS partnership marks the long-term partnership and friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States. When the first AUKUS submarine was delivered in the late 2030s, he and Austin were no longer the Secretary of Defense. Therefore, this is even more important. It can show that AUKUS is a long-term commitment between Australia, Britain and the United States to share these military secrets and capabilities.
The two talked about the Ukraine issue at the same time. Austin thanked Britain for its leadership in providing supplies to Ukraine and training Ukrainian troops to defend the country, while the United States will continue to support Ukraine in this battle.
Wallace said that with the invasion of Ukraine, we saw a more anxious and more unstable world. We would be worse off without American leadership, whether in the Pacific or in Ukraine.
Source: voachinese