Australia Defends Taiwan Policy Amid US Defense Demands

Australian PM Anthony Albanese has rejected US defense demands for assurances on Taiwan during his visit to China. Albanese said Australia supports the "status quo" on Taiwan and does not engage in hypotheticals about its response to a potential war. US officials have reportedly sought assurances from Australia on how it would deploy submarines in the event of a US-China conflict over Taiwan. Albanese emphasized the importance of sovereignty and prioritized peace and security in the region.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has firmly rejected US defense demands for assurances on Taiwan during his ongoing visit to China. Albanese underscored Australia's support for the "status quo" on Taiwan and refused to engage in hypothetical discussions about the country's potential response to a future war. This stance was made in response to reports that US officials have been seeking assurances from Australia regarding the deployment of submarines in the event of a US-China conflict over Taiwan [1].

Albanese emphasized the importance of sovereignty and prioritized peace and security in the region. He stated that any decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict would be made by the government of the day, not in advance. This position was reaffirmed by Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy, who added that Australia would not discuss hypotheticals around potential military engagements [1].

The prime minister's visit to China, which includes meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, is part of a broader effort to advance Australia's security and economic interests. The trip also aims to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties, with a business delegation accompanying Albanese to discuss opportunities in sectors such as green metals, research and development, education, finance, and clean energy [2].

Albanese's visit comes amidst broader strategic concerns, including the "worrying pace of China's nuclear and conventional military buildup" and the circumnavigation of Australia by a Chinese naval taskforce. The prime minister has been urged to raise these issues during his meetings, though the focus remains on maintaining a balanced approach to strengthen ties with both China and the US [2].

The Aukus submarine deal, valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, remains under review by the US defense department. While Albanese has expressed confidence in the review's support for the pact, the process is expected to take several months to complete. The review is seen as a potential bargaining chip for the Trump administration, which may seek guarantees of support in any conflict over Taiwan [1].

References:
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/13/australia-wont-commit-in-advance-to-joining-hypothetical-us-china-conflict-pat-conroy-says
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/12/anthony-albanese-faces-diplomatic-tightrope-in-china-as-spectre-of-trump-and-aukus-review-looms-large