Expert warns Australia cannot rely on US against China

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

An international security expert has warned Australia that the United States will not send troops to defend it against a Chinese attack.

Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program, has warned that the United States will not send troops to defend Australia against a Chinese attack. Speaking at the ABC in Sydney on Wednesday evening, Roggeveen said America would not risk its own forces 'in a fight against a nuclear-armed opponent because its vital interests won't be at stake'. He described China's rise as having made the US position in Asia 'unsustainably weak'.

Roggeveen also criticised anti-immigration policies being pursued by both major Australian parties and One Nation, arguing that 'retreating from immigration will make us materially weaker'. He called for Australia to 'recommit to multicultural immigration, not because diversity is strength but because scale is strength'.

On the AUKUS defence agreement between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, Roggeveen suggested it reflected the US exploiting Australia's 'insatiable desire to win the approval of Americans'. He argued instead that 'Australia should be sceptical of both China and America, as one rises and the other declines', and concluded that Australia 'must do more to look after ourselves'. He noted that this shift in global power was not due to President Donald Trump and would continue beyond his tenure.

How it is being reported

• Expert warns Australia can't rely on US in China attackAn international security expert has warned Australia against relying on the US, saying anti-immigration policy is weakening the country's position.The West Australian · 14 Oct, 20:03
• Expert warns Australia can't rely on US in China attackAn international security expert has warned Australia against relying on the US, saying anti-immigration policy is weakening the country's position.Perth Now · 14 Oct, 20:03

In this story: Sam Roggeveen · Lowy Institute · Australia · China · United States · ABC Radio National

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