Australia US Alliance Concerns Under Trump, Says Hastie

Australia's defence minister is worried about the US alliance if Trump becomes president again. He says Australia needs to spend more on its own military.
By Newsroom | Politics, International Relations |

Andrew Hastie, the shadow defence minister, has voiced significant reservations regarding Australia's long-standing alliance with the United States, particularly in the context of a potential second term for Donald Trump. Hastie asserts that Australia "can't take the United States alliance for granted" and must bolster its own defence capabilities.

The core concern centres on the unpredictable nature of Trump's foreign policy, specifically his "America First" agenda, which has previously cast doubt on the reliability of traditional alliances like NATO and raised questions about the future of security pacts such as AUKUS.

Hastie, speaking alongside Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, argued for a substantial increase in military spending, emphasizing the need for Australia to be "able to defend ourselves" amidst rapidly shifting geopolitical circumstances. The Coalition's defence policy, unveiled recently, reportedly includes plans for additional F-35 fighters and the continuation of the AUKUS submarine deal, though details on funding and specific delivery have drawn criticism from Defence Minister Richard Marles.

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Dutton acknowledged that China's regional power struggle factored into the Coalition's increased defence spending considerations. Hastie further posited that the expanding US military presence in Australia could inadvertently make the nation a target for China, a question he suggests has been conspicuously avoided by successive Australian governments.

In March 2026, Hastie also criticized Trump's handling of the Iran situation, suggesting a lack of consultation with allies led to Australia facing a fuel crisis. He stated that while one could dismiss Trump's rhetoric, the absence of diplomatic foresight regarding Iran meant Australia had less lead time to secure its liquid fuel supplies. Despite backing the US and Israel against Iran, Hastie maintained that as a close ally, Australia should feel empowered to ask "hard questions."

Previously, in June 2025, Hastie had directly questioned Australia's growing entanglement with the US military presence, framing it as a potential pathway to conflict with China.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Andrew Hastie worried about Australia's alliance with the US?
Andrew Hastie, the shadow defence minister, is concerned that Donald Trump's 'America First' policy could make the US alliance less reliable for Australia. He believes Australia needs to be more self-reliant in defence.
Q: What does Andrew Hastie want Australia to do about defence?
Hastie wants Australia to increase its defence spending significantly. This would help Australia defend itself better, especially with changing global politics and China's growing power.
Q: How might Trump's presidency affect Australia's security?
Hastie suggested that Trump's unpredictable foreign policy and past actions, like the handling of the Iran situation in March 2026, could negatively impact Australia. He also raised concerns about Australia becoming a target due to increased US military presence.
Q: What specific defence plans has the Coalition mentioned?
The Coalition's defence policy includes plans for more F-35 fighter jets and continuing the AUKUS submarine deal. However, details on how to pay for these and when they will be delivered have been questioned.