Taiwan MP says AUKUS pact is a ‘security net’ against China
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
In a statement, Ms Truss said: “With malign forces threatening global peace and stability it is vital that close allies like the UK and Australia show robust vigilance in defence of freedom and democracy.”
The visit comes after the UK, alongside the US signed an agreement in September to provide Australia with the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.
The deal is widely seen as a response to China’s emerging status as a superpower.
It has been criticised by the Chinese government, which has accused the three western superpowers of having a “Cold War mentality”.
The alliance, dubbed AUKUS, has also angered France as Australia scrapped a $90 billion submarine deal with the French in favour of the UK-US deal.
The French said they felt ‘blindsided’ by the deal and France’s ambassador to Australia Jean-Pierre Thebault told ABC after the deal was announced: “We discover through [the] press that the most important person of this Australian government kept us in the dark intentionally until the last minute.
“This is not an Australian attitude towards France. And maybe we’re not friends.”
Ms Truss and Mr Wallace will meet with their Australian counterparts foreign minister Marise Payne and defence minister Peter Dutton in Sydney during their stay.
The Foreign Secretary will also travel to Adelaide to sign an agreement on infrastructure cooperation as she seeks to closely align the UK’s economic objectives and its diplomatic agenda.
Ms Truss has become one of the favourites to take over from the Prime Minister if he is forced out following allegations of lockdown breaching parties held at Downing Street.
Mr Johnson has apologised for a party held at Downing Street on May 20, 2020, stating that he was not aware of the event before it happened and that nobody told him that the party would be against the rules.
However, many believe that the apology was not enough and it is reported that the chairman of The 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady is close to receiving all of the 54 letters needed to trigger a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.
f a vote of no confidence is triggered and Mr Johnson fails to survive it, then a leadership contest will be triggered and Ms Truss could be in with the chance of becoming the country’s leader.
MPs have reportedly set up a “Liz for Leader” Whatsapp group and Tory sources have stated that Ms Truss has been hosting private meetings with MPs over champagne – dubbed “fizz with Liz”.
Ms Truss was promoted to Foreign Secretary in September, following a Cabinet reshuffle as she took on the role of chief Brexit negotiator after Lord Frost resigned in September.
Last week, Ms Truss held her first face-to-face talks with her EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic on the problematic Northern Ireland Protocol.
DON’T MISS:Spain and Germany at loggerheads as EU rules spark fears
EU trails behind as Brexit Britain’s City of London roars
Now they thank us! EU gloats Brexit ‘turns out to be advantage’
She called on the EU to take a “pragmatic approach” to negotiations and said that the bloc has a “clear responsibility” to help fix the “myriad” of problems caused by the protocol.
However, Ms Truss has stated that she will trigger Article 16 of the Protocol if significant progress is not made.
Other Cabinet members who are favourites to take over from Mr Johnson are Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt.
Source: Read Full Article