The newly appointed US ambassador to the United Kingdom, Warren Stephens, has thrown his full support behind the Aukus security partnership between the United States, the UK, and Australia, using his first public speech to emphasise its strategic and economic importance.
Speaking at an event in Parliament attended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and senior officials, Mr Stephens described the Aukus pact as a “partnership built on trust” and hailed the alliance as vital for global stability and prosperity. His comments are particularly notable given the Aukus agreement was initiated under President Joe Biden—Donald Trump’s political rival. Mr Stephens’ endorsement suggests the pact will continue to enjoy bipartisan support in Washington.
The Aukus partnership centres around the construction of a new fleet of nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarines for the UK and Australia, with broader collaboration on advanced technologies such as cyber defence, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. It is widely seen as a countermeasure to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his speech, Mr Stephens remarked: “The Aukus alliance is grounded in three principles: peace, security, and prosperity. These lie at the heart of our cooperation—developing critical technologies to deter threats, working together to strengthen defence and cyber capabilities, and promoting prosperity through investment and innovation.”
He added: “This partnership ensures a free and open Indo-Pacific. It also delivers tangible benefits—creating skilled jobs and boosting economies from Brisbane to Barrow, and all the way to Newport News.”
The ambassador underscored that Aukus was more than a military arrangement—it was a commitment to shared democratic values. “The United States is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Britain and Australia, two of our closest allies, as we deepen our collaboration in response to an ever-changing world,” he said.
A businessman and Republican donor, Mr Stephens noted that the success of Aukus also hinges on the entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector. “Government works best when we get out of the way and let businesses innovate. President Trump and I understand this deeply. It’s a belief that runs through Aukus—American, British, and Australian firms working together to maintain our technological edge,” he said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, speaking at the same event held in the House of Lords and organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Aukus, welcomed the ambassador’s comments. He said the agreement symbolised a serious and sustained commitment to both national and international security.
“Aukus is about more than submarines—it’s a statement of intent. When we talk about security and stability, we mean it. In the Indo-Pacific and right here at home,” Sir Keir said.
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He pointed to the thousands of jobs already created in Barrow-in-Furness, where the submarines will be constructed, and in Derby, where Rolls-Royce is developing the nuclear reactors. “This is transformational—an investment not just in our armed forces, but in our communities, our economy, and our collective safety,” he added.
Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, echoed these sentiments. “Security underpins economic growth,” he said. “The Aukus trilateral partnership ensures we maintain peace and stability—not just in the Indo-Pacific, but across the Euro-Atlantic as well.”
The strong backing of Aukus by Mr Stephens in his debut address sends a clear signal that Washington’s commitment to the alliance will remain firm under a potential second Trump presidency. His comments have been welcomed by British and Australian officials alike, who see Aukus not only as a cornerstone of future defence collaboration but also as a major driver of industrial growth and innovation.
