Australia’s plans to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines would be torn-up if Donald Trump is re-elected this week, a former top Republican party security advisor, told 7News.
The AUKUS defence pact would be one of the first US alliances to undergo a major review under an incoming Trump administration – with the official warning Australia not to take the agreement “for granted”.
“I think it could be in jeopardy,” former US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton said.
“All Trump looks at is the balance sheet, and if he sees more US expenditure than those of other parties to the agreement, then I think there will be trouble.”
The defence bill that passed on Capitol Hill late last year requires the president of the day to give the final tick of approval before any US submarines are delivered to Australia.
And Ambassador Bolton is now encouraging America’s ally to immediately mount arguments in favour of the alliance if Trump wins the November poll.
“You’ve got to explain that these Australian submarines can patrol the Indian Ocean and the waters of the Pacific around Australia (and) southeast Asia.”
“This is an incredible addition to … American national security. That’s what he (Trump) needs to understand,” Ambassador Bolton said.
The Australian government forked out $4.5 billion dollars to help soothe US fears after lawmakers questioned America’s ability to deliver the specialised boats while meeting its own submarine production targets.
Under the first steps of the deal aimed at deterring Chinese aggression, Australia is set to receive at least three Virginia Class nuclear-powered submarines before Australian-built vessels enter service in the 2040s.
Ambassador Bolton is a veteran of the past three Republican administrations and most recently was Donald Trump’s longest serving national security advisor.
Since leaving Trump’s orbit, Bolton’s become a sharp critic of the former President and he’s now warning Australia that relations with the United States will require more work than ever if Democrats lose.
“He’s (Trump) an aberration in American politics,” Ambassador Bolton said.
“In Star Wars terms he’s sort of a disturbance in the force. So, we are going to have a long four years if he’s elected.”
The foreign policy expert also warned allies that the guardrails of experienced operatives in Trump’s first administration, won’t be retuning this time around.
Adding, that leaders will need to chart their own diplomatic paths with the administration – and that goes for Australia, too.
“If the Australian Prime Minister plays golf, that’s a plus. If he doesn’t, he might want to learn.”
