• Australia reaffirmed its confidence in the AUKUS submarine deal amid a US review under Trump's administration.
• The review aims to align the pact with Trump's "America First" agenda while assessing its strategic interests.
• Australia is committed to investing A$368 billion in the AUKUS program over the next 30 years.
• The deal, vital for countering China's military presence, includes the acquisition of up to five Virginia-class submarines.
• China expressed opposition to AUKUS, citing increased regional tensions and nuclear proliferation risks.

Australia has reaffirmed its confidence in the AUKUS submarine pact, despite the dawn of a formal review by the Trump administration aimed at aligning the agreement with the new president's "America First" policies. Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the strategic importance of AUKUS remains intact, stating the agreement is crucial for bolstering Australia's maritime capabilities and regional defense posture, particularly against the backdrop of China's expanding military influence. "I am very confident this is going to happen," Marles declared during an interview, reinforcing Australia's commitment to this multi-decade plan, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

The review signifies a reassessment of the AUKUS deal, which aims to provide Australia with up to five nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines and establish a new class of submarines jointly designed with the US and UK. The AUKUS agreement is Australia’s largest-ever defence project, worth an estimated A$368 billion over the next three decades, underlining its pivotal role in modernizing Australia's military capabilities. As part of the deal, Australia is expecting to make a US$2 billion payment to the US to enhance its submarine industrial base, facilitating the production of new submarines by 2032, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

The review's implications have raised concerns in Canberra, particularly regarding the potential for reduced US commitment to Australian security. Critics, including Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's Under Secretary for Policy, have warned about sharing critical submarine technology with other nations during a period when the US must prioritize its own military needs. Colby notably questioned, "Why are we giving away this crown jewel asset when we most need it?" echoing sentiments among US officials wary of international defense commitments, as cited by SCMP and The Jakarta Post.

Despite these concerns, both Australia and the UK have downplayed fears that the Trump administration would abandon the AUKUS pact, citing its significance in combatting regional threats, particularly those posed by China. With plans for rotational deployments of US and UK submarines in Australia beginning in 2027, the AUKUS partnership is considered vital for maintaining a strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific region. Australian officials reaffirmed their commitment to the joint defense objectives outlined in AUKUS after receiving assurances from US representatives that the review is standard procedure when any new administration takes over, according to Channel News Asia and Newsweek.

China has vocally opposed the AUKUS deal, accusing it of exacerbating military competition and increasing the risks of nuclear proliferation in the region. As geopolitical tensions mount, especially around the South China Sea, China's posture against AUKUS reflects broader concerns about Western military expansions into Asia, as reiterated by officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, according to BBC and SCMP.