‘We’ll determine our defence policy’: Albanese responds to US push for huge rise in spending as Hegseth stokes China fears

Prime minister also reaffirms policy on Taiwan while hitting back at Donald Trump's doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports

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Anthony Albanese has responded to the United States' calls for a huge rise in defence spending amid fears about China, while hitting back at Donald Trump's move to double tariffs on steel and aluminium.

On Saturday US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, urged US allies in the region, including Australia, to share the burden" and lift defence spending to 5% of GDP, warning that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific".

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