News analysis Trump causes jitters in Australia as shadow looms over submarine deal

Main concern is he may scupper plans to provide nuclear subs as part of Aukus pact

- Jonathan Pearlman

SYDNEY - The election of Donald Trump as the next United States president has triggered anxiety in Australia over the future of its plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of a security pact involving the two countries and the United Kingdom.

In a reflection of the level of concern in Australia, the election result has prompted debate about whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should sack his ambassador to Washington Kevin Rudd over disparaging comments he made about Trump before his posting to the US in 2023.

Mr Albanese has defended Dr Rudd, a former Australian prime minister, who recently deleted tweets about Trump in which he described the Republican leader as a traitor to the West and, in a 2020 post, as the "most destructive president in history".

Officials in Canberra have pointed out that people close to Trump, including incoming Vice-President J.D. Vance, had once been equally critical of Trump.

But the calls for Dr Rudd's sacking highlight nervousness in Canberra about its ability to handle the incoming administration.

The main concern is that Trump may try to scupper plans to provide Australia with at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines in the 2030s as part of the Aukus security pact between Australia, the UK and the US.

Trump may be concerned that the deal is at odds with the US military's requirements.

According to a Congressional Research Service report released in June, the US needs to build about two Virginia-class submarines a year by 2028, and then 2.3 a year thereafter.

The report said this rate of production would maintain the industrial base and "send a stronger signal of resolve to potential adversaries such as China".