Pentagon Denies Formal Meeting Between Australian US Defence Ministers

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles traveled to Washington DC to discuss the AUKUS nuclear submarine pact and other defense issues with senior officials in the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While Marles posted photos with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon clarified that no formal meeting occurred, describing the interaction as a "happenstance encounter." This lack of a confirmed meeting with Hegseth was seen as a diplomatic setback, especially given the importance of the AUKUS agreement and ongoing concerns about delays in the US provision of Virginia-class submarines to Australia. The Trump administration is also urging Australia to increase its defense budget from 2% to 3.5% to counter China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific. The strained US-Australia relationship is further highlighted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's inability to secure a meeting with President Trump, despite other world leaders having done so. Marles' trip underscored challenges in bilateral engagement amid broader geopolitical pressures and defense commitments.