US to expedite nuclear-powered subs to Australia that will sit near China’s doorstep

The U S wants to fast-track outfitting Australia with nuclear submarines under the trilateral agreement between the U S Australia and the U K to beef up Australia s submarine force aimed at countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific In the agreement known as AUKUS the U S will sell up to five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia slated for delivery as soon as But Trump advised reporters that he is eyeing a faster timeline when demanded if he was interested in speeding up the process Well we are doing that yeah we have them moving very very swiftly Trump communicated reporters Monday while meeting with Australia s prime minister Anthony Albanese at the White House Even so Trump also commented that he didn t believe that AUKUS was necessary to deter China as he touted his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping who he is expected to meet with in South Korea later in October I don't think we're going to need it Trump declared about the trilateral agreement I think we'll be just fine with China China doesn't want to do that First of all the United States is the strongest military power in the world by far It's not even close not even close We have the best equipment We have the best of everything and nobody's going to mess with that And I don't see that at all with President Xi This is a current news story and will be updated The Associated Press contributed to this overview