A key opponent of Australia’s push to buy US nuclear-powered submarines appears to have warmed to the multibillion-dollar deal months after ordering a review of the plan for the new Trump administration. And that is why in discussions I’ve had with the United Kingdom and with the United States, there has been support for it,” Mr Albanese said before flying home to Australia. “We know that AUKUS is in the interests of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Under the AUKUS deal Australia has already paid $US1 billion ($1.5b) to the United States this year to improve its submarine industrial base, with another non-refundable $1 billion payment due to be made by the end of 2025. “Much can change in the period ahead,” warns Dr Buchanan, who is also a fellow of Washington’s Centre for the National Interest.