The Guardian

‘We’ll determine our defence policy’: Albanese responds to US push for huge rise in spending as it stokes China fears


Prime minister also reaffirms policy on Taiwan while hitting back at Donald Trump’s doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports

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Anthony Albanese has responded to the United States’ calls for a huge rise in defence spending amid fears over China, while hitting back at Donald Trump’s move to double tariffs on steel and aluminium.

On Saturday, Pete Hegseth urged the US’s allies in the region, including Australia, to “share the burden” and lift defence spending to 5% of GDP, warning that “Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific”.

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Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/01/anthony-albanese-responds-to-us-pete-hegseth-push-for-huge-rise-in-defence-spending-as-it-stokes-china-fears

Author : Sarah Basford Canales

Publish date : 2025-06-01 02:17:00

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