USSC Briefing Room | AUKUS review, “Golden Dome” and defence spending: Australia and Trump’s defence policy

9 July 2025

Kelly Magsamen joined Mari Koeck on the podcast to discuss what has stayed the same and what has changed in US defence policy from Biden to Trump.

Podcast by

Mari Koeck

Director of Engagement and ImpactUnited States Studies Centre

Initial results of Elbridge Colby’s AUKUS review are expected soon, but this feeds into broader conversations around increasing defence spending and even the role Australia can play in Trump’s “Golden Dome” project.

Where have we seen shifts and continuity from Biden to Trump in defence policy? How can Australia thread the needle to negotiate best outcomes for AUKUS by looking at Golden Dome and defence spending? What impact is Trump’s defence policy having in the Indo-Pacific?

Kelly Magsamen joined Mari Koeck on the podcast to discuss these issues. Kelly was former Chief of Staff to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and she is a Senior Advisor at The Asia Group. Kelly was a visiting fellow with the USSC as part of the Centre’s “Next Generation Leaders in the Australia-US Alliance” project.