The AUKUS security pact will remain strong regardless of who ends up in the White House after the 2024 US election, the Prime Minister says.
Anthony Albanese said he isn’tt concerned for the future of the alliance with the US and the UK, despite the possibility of Donald Trump returning as president following next year’s election.
Mr Trump, who is the current front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, pleaded not guilty last week to 34 counts of falsifying business records, following an investigation into hush money payments.
Mr Trump, the first current or former US president to face criminal charges, says the allegations are politically motivated.
Mr Albanese said AUKUS would remain strong regardless of who was leading nations involved in the security pact.
“Our relationship with the United States is a relationship between nations, between peoples, not just between leaders,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
“Australia and the United States share common values, I work very closely with President (Joe) Biden.”
Mr Biden is set to travel to Australia next month for the Quad Leaders’ Summit, where he will also address federal parliament.
“He will be an honoured guest in our country,” Mr Albanese said.
The AUKUS pact will see Australia acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines by the 2050s, with the vessels set to cost up to $368 billion.
-AAP
