“With respect to Bridge [Colby] and all that, the president said ‘full speed ahead’. I think Bridge said, ‘I work for the president, it’s full speed ahead’. And so I’m full speed ahead.” It is not clear whether Brat has ever been to Australia, and it appeared he was not familiar with Adelaide, the city where Australia’s AUKUS submarines will be built. While outlining the AUKUS agreement, Brat said three subs were “to be made with the UK down in Adeline, Australia”. A representative at
Brat’s university declined an interview request from this masthead, saying he could not speak until he was confirmed. Regarding his third priority – expanding the US-Australia partnership in the Indo-Pacific and Pacific Islands – Brat said the two countries could “fight against [the] malign influence of our adversaries”. He did not identify those adversaries, but China is the main competitor for influence in the region.
Trump ambassador, Australia, AUKUS, Adelaide, indo-pacific, pacific islands, China, submarines, Brat, Colby
Full speed ahead into the wrong city? Lol
So he said “Adeline” and everyone just moved on?? That’s wild. Also “fight against malign influence” sounds like China is automatically the villain like always.
Wait, is “AUKUS” like the same thing as that other deal with ships? I get submarines and all but the whole quote sounded like a mess—like he’s rushing because he’s not ready. If he doesn’t even know Adelaide, how do we know he’s not messing up the schedule.
China this, adversaries that… I mean yeah, but why are we acting like he just didn’t know where Adelaide is? Sounds like someone on a job interview reading a teleprompter wrong. Also “UK down in Adeline” like that’s a real place? I’m confused.