Trump and Albanese: Strategic Talks on AUKUS at Washington Meet

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Washington on October 20. The leaders will discuss the AUKUS nuclear submarine project, aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. A Pentagon review of the project is underway, with completion expected in autumn.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, in Washington on October 20. This high-level meeting marks their first in-person interaction since Albanese's re-election as the head of the center-left Labor government in Australia.

The discussions are set to focus on the AUKUS initiative, a joint defense project involving the U.S., Australia, and the UK. At the heart of the talks will be Australia's procurement of nuclear-powered submarines, a strategic move to bolster defenses against China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The project is currently under a rigorous review led by U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, amid criticisms about production capabilities. Despite this, Australia has already committed $1 billion to support U.S. submarine shipyards and further announced an additional investment for infrastructure upgrades in Western Australia. The Pentagon's evaluation is anticipated to conclude by autumn.

(With inputs from agencies.)