Nikki Haley backs AUKUS subs deal to counter China aggression

While Ms Haley answered the question directly, Mr Trump has not spoken about the sale agreed by President Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, despite repeated requests to his media team for a view on the most important strategic pact between the US and Australia since ANZUS. Both Republicans and Democrats had been wary of selling US nuclear-powered submarines to Australia by the early 2030s deadline because it could leave the US struggling to supply its own fleet. However, in late December Congress passed legislation that would allow the sale of three Virginia class submarines to…