A Pentagon review of the multibillion dollar deal that will see the United States and United Kingdom supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines has unsettled a key ally as China ramps up its naval ambitions for regional dominance. In Washington, the review reflects a concern among Trump administration defense officials and China-focused lawmakers: that the terms of the deal might risk the U.S. not having enough of its own ships and submarines to face off against Beijing’s swelling supply. A senior U.S. defense official said the Pentagon is reviewing the Biden-era AUKUS agreement to ensure it is “aligned with the President’s America First agenda,” and that allies “step up fully to do their part for collective defense,” echoing a broader agenda spearheaded by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that argues the U.S. needs to prioritize its own needs over those of others and compel allies to contribute more to their own defense. The uncertainty, analysts say, is amplified at a time when the administration is reshuffling its commitments in Europe and urging key allies to spend more on defense — including Taiwan and Australia — as Trump officials refocus U.S. strategy on the Indo-Pacific and the growing threat from Beijing.

Full story : Pact to sell Australia nuclear submarines is imperiled by Trump administration concerns that the U.S. is not producing enough of its own.