Greens leader Adam Bandt has called on the Australian government to abandon the AUKUS pact with the United States, arguing that the recent imposition of steel and aluminium tariffs by President Donald Trump should serve as a wake-up call. Bandt warned that tying Australia’s fate to Trump’s unpredictable policies puts the country at risk, potentially jeopardising billions of dollars allocated to Australia’s new nuclear submarine program.
“We should get out of AUKUS, now is not the time to be hitching Australia’s wagon to Donald Trump—it puts Australia at risk and it is billions of dollars being spent on submarines that might never arrive,” Bandt told ABC’s Insiders. He added that the current tariffs effectively paint a “very big Trump shaped target” on Australia’s back, a prospect he described as “the wrong time for that.”
Tariffs and Submarine Costs: A Costly Combination
The AUKUS deal, a trilateral agreement between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, is designed to deliver eight new nuclear submarines to Australia by the mid-2050s, with the first five expected to be completed within that timeframe. The deal, however, has long faced criticism from the Greens. Bandt contends that the recent tariffs imposed by Trump on steel and aluminium imports underscore the inherent risks of aligning too closely with a US policy that could prove volatile and self-serving.
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Trade Minister Don Farrell, meanwhile, has stressed that the immediate challenge is to understand and negotiate with the US. Speaking to his US counterpart, Farrell emphasised the need to “make an offer [Trump] can’t refuse” as he sought to manage the fallout from the tariffs. He reiterated that Australia would not adopt retaliatory tariffs, pointing to similar approaches taken by other nations which have found such measures ineffective.
Political Crossroads and Future Alliances
The debate over Australia’s future relationship with the United States extends beyond the immediate issue of tariffs. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out walking away from AUKUS—describing it as a “good deal for Australia”—Bandt remains unconvinced. He criticises the notion that a security arrangement based on US interests is in Australia’s long-term national interest. Bandt also labelled the US president as a “very dangerous man” and argued that it is “wishful thinking” to assume that Trump would reliably come to Australia’s aid in a security crisis.
Looking ahead to the federal election due on or before May 17, the Greens are positioning themselves for a potential minority government scenario. Bandt has expressed an openness to negotiating a formal agreement with the Labor Party in such an event, underscoring his party’s commitment to pushing for policies that address pressing domestic issues like the cost of living, housing affordability, and climate change. He firmly ruled out any coalition with the Coalition, insisting that his party’s support would be contingent on a “stable and progressive” deal with Labor.
The Road Ahead for Australian Foreign Policy
Bandt’s call to rethink Australia’s alignment with the United States reflects broader concerns about the country’s role on the global stage. He argued that Australia should be diversifying its international relationships, especially with other nations affected by Trump’s tariffs. “There is strength in numbers,” Bandt said, suggesting that Australia’s economic and strategic interests would be better served by exploring partnerships that are more in line with its own priorities rather than being bound to the unpredictable policies of a US administration.
This sentiment comes at a time when international debate is intensifying over the future of global trade and security alliances. With the AUKUS deal representing one of Australia’s most significant long-term commitments, any shift in policy would have wide-ranging implications for defence, technology, and diplomatic relations.
Concluding Thoughts
While the government remains committed to the AUKUS pact, the pressure from the Greens and other critics highlights a growing tension in Australian politics over its foreign policy direction. As Australia navigates the challenges posed by international tariffs and uncertain global alliances, the outcome of the upcoming federal election could very well reshape the nation’s strategic priorities.
The next few weeks will be critical as negotiations continue both domestically and with international partners. For now, Greens leader Adam Bandt’s call for Australia to “walk away from AUKUS” resonates as a stark warning: in an era marked by unpredictable US policies, Australia must chart its own course to safeguard its economic and security interests.
