Trump Downplays Need for AUKUS, Says US Military Power Enough to Deter CCP

While affirming the United States’ commitment to AUKUS, President Donald Trump said America’s unmatched defence capability remains the region’s ultimate safeguard. During a joint press briefing with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House on Oct. 21, Trump was asked if AUKUS, the trilateral security pact between the United States, the UK, and Australia, is necessary to counter Beijing’s military expansion. “I think it is, but I don’t think we’re going to need it,” Trump responded. “I think we’ll be just fine with China. China doesn’t want to do that,” he said, downplaying the idea that Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea poses an immediate risk....