Aukus: US to review submarine pact as part of 'America First' agenda

It comes as Australia faces pressure from the White House to dramatically lift its military spending.

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Under the trilateral pact, believed to be aimed at countering China, Australia is to get its first nuclear-powered subs from the US, before the allies create a new fleet by sharing cutting-edge tech.

Both Australia and the UK - which did its own review last year - have played down news of the US probe, saying it is natural for a new administration to reassess.

The move comes as both Australia and the UK face pressure from the White House to lift military spending, demands heeded by Downing Street but largely resisted by Canberra.

The Aukus agreement - worth £176bn ($239bn; A$368bn) - was signed in 2021, when all three countries involved had different leaders.