How Trump’s call for Asia-Pacific allies to raise defence spending may backfire on US - The Star

Trump's pressure on Indo-Pacific allies to dramatically increase defence spending—with implicit threat of reduced US commitment if they do not—directly bears on Australia's Pillar 7 (Alliance) and Pillar 2 (Fiscal Engine). Increased pressure to fund Australian defence independently, combined with signals of potential US retrenchment, creates fiscal pressure and alliance uncertainty at a time when Australia is already managing AUKUS delivery timelines and strategic competition with China.