Latest news with #AmericaFirstAgenda
AU Financial Review
12-06-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
G7 Summit will be a test of Albanese's diplomatic skill
Donald Trump has thrown another curveball at the US-Australia alliance by launching a Pentagon review of the $368 billion AUKUS trilateral defence pact to determine whether it serves America's national economic and security interests. It's reasonable to question the motives behind the probe. Trump's 'America First Agenda' has already sparked a tariff war and destabilised the international rules-based order. Meanwhile, the president's transactional diplomacy, such as threatening to withdraw US troops from Ukraine and questioning the relevance of longstanding defence alliances, has cast a cloud over America's reliability as a credible security partner.
Sky News AU
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
AUKUS deal under threat as Trump administration considers 'backing away' from Biden-era submarine contract
The Trump administration is considering "backing away" from the Biden-era AUKUS deal with Australia and the United Kingdom after it launched a formal review of the defence pact worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The review, led by the Pentagon, is set to cause a stir in Australia which sees the submarine deal as a critical defence investment of deterrence as tensions grow in the Indo-Pacific. The United Kingdom will also quake over the potential scrapping of AUKUS as the deal is central to the expansion of its submarine fleet. "We are reviewing AUKUS as part of ensuring that this initiative of the previous administration is aligned with the President's America First agenda," the official said of the review, which was first reported by Financial Times. "Any changes to the administration's approach for AUKUS will be communicated through official channels, when appropriate." The AUKUS deal, formed in 2021 to address China's rapidly growing militarisation, is designed to allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines and other advanced weapons such as hypersonic missiles. In a statement provided to The Australian, the Pentagon said the review of AUKUS was part of ensuring the initiative of the previous administration initiative meets the "common sense" criteria of President Donald Trump's America First Agenda. 'As (Defence) Secretary (Pete) Hegseth has made clear, this means ensuring the highest readiness of our servicemembers, that allies step up fully to do their part for collective defence, and that the defence industrial base is meeting our needs,' the Pentagon said. 'This review will ensure the initiative meets these common sense, America First criteria.' Vocal sceptics of the AUKUS deal among Trump's senior policy officials include Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's top policy advisor. In a 2024 talk with Britain's Policy Exchange think-tank, Mr Colby cautioned that US military submarines were a scarce, critical commodity, and that US industry could not produce enough of them to meet American demand. They would also be central to US military strategy in any confrontation with China centred in the First Island Chain, an area that runs from Japan through Taiwan, the Philippines and on to Borneo, enclosing China's coastal seas. "My concern is why are we giving away this crown jewel asset when we most need it," Mr Colby said.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Who is Scott Bessent? The banker who beat up richest man Elon Musk - here is what went down
The White House witnessed two rare phenomenon this year- an openly gay Republican taking charge of the US treasury department and that same person beating up the richest man Elon Musk . Moreover, the brawl between Scott Bessent and Musk eventually contributed to the latter's messy break-up with Donald Trump. The confrontation unfolded in the West Wing following a contentious Oval Office meeting, where both men lobbied Trump over who should lead the IRS. After the meeting, Bessent called Musk a 'total fraud,' accusing him of failing to deliver on promised spending cuts. In response, Musk allegedly delivered a forceful shoulder strike to Bessent's ribcage 'like a rugby player,' triggering a brief brawl that bystanders had to break up, as narrated by MAGA activist Steve Bannon. Trump, upon learning of the incident, reportedly said it was 'too much.' The scuffle ended with Musk being escorted out of the West Wing. Who is Scott Bessent? Scott Bessent is the first openly gay Treasury Secretary and the first openly LGBTQ Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in a Republican administration. A Yale graduate, he built a distinguished career in finance with roles at Brown Brothers Harriman, the Olayan Group, and Kynikos Associates before entering public service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He has been a long-time advocate, supporter and mentor of financial literacy and education programs. He has endorsed key pillars of Trump's economic agenda, including business deregulation, tax cuts, and tariffs targeting major US trading partners. In announcing his nomination on November 22, Trump praised Bessent as 'a strong advocate of the America First Agenda.' However, Bessent has faced some skepticism from conservatives. When Trump first considered him for the role, it sparked criticism from Elon Musk, the billionaire tapped to co-lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. 'Bessent is a business-as-usual choice,' Musk had said, adding, 'Business-as-usual is driving America bankrupt, so we need change one way or another.'
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Meet Scott Bessent - the gay banker who beat up Elon Musk
The White House witnessed two rare phenomenon this year- an openly gay Republican taking charge of the US treasury department and that same person beating up the richest man Elon Musk . Moreover, the brawl between Scott Bessent and Musk eventually contributed to the latter's messy break-up with Donald Trump. The confrontation unfolded in the West Wing following a contentious Oval Office meeting, where both men lobbied Trump over who should lead the IRS. After the meeting, Bessent called Musk a 'total fraud,' accusing him of failing to deliver on promised spending cuts. In response, Musk allegedly delivered a forceful shoulder strike to Bessent's ribcage 'like a rugby player,' triggering a brief brawl that bystanders had to break up, as narrated by MAGA activist Steve Bannon. Trump, upon learning of the incident, reportedly said it was 'too much.' The scuffle ended with Musk being escorted out of the West Wing. Who is Scott Bessent? Scott Bessent is the first openly gay Treasury Secretary and the first openly LGBTQ Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in a Republican administration. A Yale graduate, he built a distinguished career in finance with roles at Brown Brothers Harriman, the Olayan Group, and Kynikos Associates before entering public service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He has been a long-time advocate, supporter and mentor of financial literacy and education programs. He has endorsed key pillars of Trump's economic agenda, including business deregulation, tax cuts, and tariffs targeting major US trading partners. In announcing his nomination on November 22, Trump praised Bessent as 'a strong advocate of the America First Agenda.' However, Bessent has faced some skepticism from conservatives. When Trump first considered him for the role, it sparked criticism from Elon Musk, the billionaire tapped to co-lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. 'Bessent is a business-as-usual choice,' Musk had said, adding, 'Business-as-usual is driving America bankrupt, so we need change one way or another.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate to run for lieutenant governor
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate will run for lieutenant governor next year against current Secretary of State Wes Allen. Pate, a Republican, was elected agriculture commissioner in 2018 and reelected in 2022. 'I've spent my life working the land, running a business, and serving my neighbors,' Pate said in a statement announcing his campaign this week. He also stressed his support for President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn University football coach who is running for governor. 'As lieutenant governor, I'll bring that same hands-on leadership to supporting President Trump and Coach Tuberville in advancing the America First Agenda — so Alabama stays a place where families thrive, agriculture prospers, and conservative values lead the way.' The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate, breaks ties in the chamber, steps in for the governor if that office becomes vacant and also makes a range of appointments, including for committees that dictate legislative priorities. The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate, breaks ties in the chamber, steps in for the governor if that office becomes vacant and also makes a range of appointments, including for committees that dictate legislative priorities. The position used to have more power in the the legislative process, but those duties were given to the Senate's president pro tempore in 1999 after a partisan power struggle. Allen, who is also a Republican, previously announced that he would seek the position. Current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who has served two terms, can not run again because of term limits. Party primaries are May 19, 2026, followed by the general election on Nov. 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
