Kirsty Needham

Australia and Pacific Politics Correspondent at Reuters

Reuters Correspondent, Australia and Pacific Politics. Former @smh China Correspondent in Beijing. Walkley Scoop award 2022.

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Articles

AUKUS nuclear submarine sale under scrutiny as Trump tariffs rattle Australia

1 week ago | theprint.in | Kirsty Needham

Whether the United States can boost submarine production to meet U.S. Navy targets is key to whether Australia can buy three Virginia-class submarines starting in 2032, Defence Minister Richard Marles said last month, after talks with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth. Australia faces a previously unreported 2025 deadline to pay the United States $2 billion to assist with improving its submarine shipyards. The Trump administration has asked for more funding, Marles said in March.
AUKUS exemption to US defence trade controls doesn't cover nuclear subs, officials say

1 week ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Kirsty Needham

By Kirsty NeedhamSYDNEY (Reuters) - U.S. controls on sensitive defence exports, relaxed for AUKUS partner Australia last year, still apply to submarines, creating hurdles to defence industry collaboration on U.S. Virginia-class sub production, officials and executives said.
AUKUS exemption to U.S. defense trade controls doesn't cover nuclear subs, officials say

1 week ago | ground.news | Kirsty Needham

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) – U.S. controls on sensitive defence exports, relaxed for AUKUS partner Australia last year, still apply to submarines, creating hurdles to defence industry collaboration on U.S. Virginia-class sub production, officials and executives said. Whether the United States can overcome production delays to meet U.S. Navy targets is key to whether Australia can buy three Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines under …
Australia wants AUKUS submarines for deterrence, stealth, says PM Albanese

1 week ago | gmanetwork.com | Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY — Australia is buying nuclear-powered submarines as a deterrent, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday, adding that the AUKUS treaty that has come under scrutiny amid President Donald Trump's trade policy was also in the United States' interests. The U.S. sale of three nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under AUKUS is facing new doubts as Trump's tariffs take hold, and amid concern in Washington that providing the subs to Canberra may reduce deterrence to China.
AUKUS nuclear submarine sale under scrutiny as US tariffs rattle Australia

1 week ago | oafnation.com | Kirsty Needham

PHOTO CAPTION: Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN-783) is seen off the coast of Western Australia, Australia March 16, 2025. COLIN MURTY/Pool via REUTERSBy Kirsty NeedhamPERTH (Reuters) - The sale of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under the AUKUS treaty faces new doubts as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs take hold, and amid concern in Washington that providing the subs to Canberra may reduce deterrence to China.
Australia PM says working on plan for Chinese company to sell Darwin port to 'Australian hands'

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Kirsty Needham

By Kirsty NeedhamSYDNEY (Reuters) - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday his government was working on a plan for Australian superannuation firms to buy the strategically located Darwin port from its Chinese owner on national interest grounds. Then U.S. President Barack Obama criticised the sale of the commercial port on a 99-year lease to Chinese company Landbridge in 2015. Around 2,000 U.S. Marines exercise for six months of the year in the northern city.
Australia says US tariffs 'not act of a friend' but rules out reciprocal move

3 weeks ago | marketscreener.com | Renju Jose |Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 10% tariff on its ally was "not the act of a friend," but ruled out reciprocal tariffs against the United States. In comments outside the White House, Trump singled out Australian beef, which saw a surge in exports to the United States last year, reaching A$4 billion amid a slump in U.S. beef production. "They won't take any of our beef.
Australia says US tariffs 'not act of a friend' but rules out reciprocal move

3 weeks ago | uk.marketscreener.com | Renju Jose |Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a 10% tariff on its ally was "not the act of a friend," but ruled out reciprocal tariffs against the United States. In comments outside the White House, Trump singled out Australian beef, which saw a surge in exports to the United States last year, reaching A$4 billion amid a slump in U.S. beef production. "They won't take any of our beef.
Australia says US tariffs 'not act of a friend' but rules out reciprocal move

3 weeks ago | msn.com | Renju Jose |Kirsty Needham

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US tariffs reaction - Australia says US tariffs "not act of a friend" but rules out reciprocal move - Sight Magazine

3 weeks ago | sightmagazine.com.au | Renju Jose |Kirsty Needham |David Adams

Sydney, AustraliaReutersAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday the decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a 10 per cent tariff on its ally was “not the act of a friend”, but ruled out reciprocal tariffs against the United States. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks about the decision by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs, at an undisclosed location in this still image taken from video released on 3rd April, 2025.