The UK said that it fully understood the decision of the U.S. administration under Donald Trump to review the AUKUS sub-pact. London reiterated its position that this project is crucial for peace and security.

The United States, Australia, and Britain revealed details in 2023 of their plan to provide Australia nuclear-powered submarines by the early 2030s, to counter China's Indo-Pacific ambitions.

A Pentagon official stated on Wednesday that the administration is reviewing AUKUS in order to make sure it's "aligned" with the President’s America First agenda.

A spokesperson for British Premier Keir starmer was asked about the review. She said: "As has been said, it's understandable that a newly elected administration would want to review their approach to a partnership of this magnitude."

He told reporters that "AUKUS" is a historic security and defence partnership between two of our closest friends and one of the most important strategic partnerships for decades in promoting peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region and the Euro-Atlantic. (Reporting and writing by Andrew MacAskill)

(source: Reuters)