Donald Trump confirmed on Monday his intention to continue the US-Australian-British AUKUS pact and the initiative to supply Australia with its first nuclear-powered submarines. The future of the project, agreed upon during Joe Biden’s presidency, was for some time in doubt due to the Pentagon’s review of the contract. During his meeting with Anthony Albanese, Donald Trump even suggested that he would speed up work on this issue.
The US President also assessed that although AUKUS is a deterrent to China in the context of its ambition to absorb Taiwan, Chinese leader Xi Jinping will not decide to invade the island even without it. — I think it’s a deterrent, but I don’t think we need it. I think it will go very well with China. China doesn’t want to do this, Trump said, arguing that the US has the strongest military in the world that no one will mess with.
— And I don’t see this willingness at all in President Xi Jinping. I think we will get along very well on Taiwan and others. That doesn’t mean it’s not the apple of his eye, because it probably is, but I don’t see anything happening, he added.
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What did Donald Trump say about China’s invasion of Taiwan?
What agreement did Trump and Albanese sign?
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What does Trump think about the Chinese economy?
Donald Trump on talks with China. “Their economy will be in big trouble”
Donald Trump also expressed his belief that during the upcoming conversation with Xi Jinping in South Korea, he will resolve all controversial trade issues between the superpowers, including restrictions on the export of Chinese rare earth metals and the cessation of China’s purchases of American soybeans.
The leader noted that “the Chinese economy will be in big trouble” if the US imposes an additional 100 percent. tariff on Chinese goods and threatened to suspend the export of aircraft and aircraft parts to China. According to the Wall Street Journal, one of China’s demands towards the US is a change towards Taiwan.
Despite the American president’s optimism, Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese signed an agreement on Monday to accelerate cooperation on the mining and processing of rare earth metals in both countries, as part of efforts to reduce dependence on China in the supply chain of these key economic materials. The plan calls for an investment of more than $3 billion in joint projects over the next six months, as well as a Pentagon investment in a refinery of gallium – a key element – in Western Australia.
Additionally, both leaders agreed on the purchase of Anduril underwater drones by Australia for $1.2 billion. and other military investments.
Donald Trump clashed with the Australian ambassador
Despite the friendly atmosphere of the talks – Donald Trump emphasized that Australia, unlike other allies, “does not play games” with the US – there was an awkward moment during the meeting when one of the Australian journalists recalled unfavorable opinions about the US president expressed by the Australian ambassador, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Donald Trump suggested he didn’t know anything about it and then, not realizing Rudd was in the room, asked where the ambassador was now. When he realized the ambassador was sitting across from him, he said, “I don’t like you either – and I probably never will.”
Rudd explained that his opinions – he called Trump, among others – most harmful US president in history – he said before taking up his current position.
