Overview
- A U.S.–Australia 2+2 meeting in Washington reaffirmed plans to advance AUKUS-related nuclear-submarine programs and deepen cooperation on critical-minerals supply chains.
- Japan and Australia agreed to create a strategic defence coordination framework to consult seamlessly from peacetime through crises across intelligence, space and cyber.
- Australian ambassador Justin Hayhurst said Australia shares Japan’s goal of working with allies to preserve regional stability and deter conflict in a Taiwan contingency.
- Hayhurst declined to speculate on how Australia would respond in any Taiwan conflict, maintaining deliberate ambiguity on operational specifics.
- The envoy voiced concern over a reported radar-illumination of a Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft by a Chinese plane and emphasized adherence to international law.