New UK Envoy to Present AUKUS Recommendations to Trump Admin
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has named Stephen Lovegrove, a former U.K. national security adviser and defense minister, the special representative to the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. Lovegrove called AUKUS a “uniquely powerful partnership which will develop and deliver cutting-edge capabilities” and help boost the U.K.’s defense industrial base. “I look forward to starting work immediately to help maximise the potential of this vital partnership,” he said.
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Lovegrove is traveling to Washington this week to present the Trump administration with the findings of a review he carried out last year about the U.K.’s progress under AUKUS. The review pinpoints “barriers to success” and outlines “recommendations on how to unlock further areas of opportunity, both nationally and with the US and Australia,” the U.K. said. Lovegrove will present his findings to the Australian government after meeting with the U.S.
Lovegrove’s appointment is the latest indication that the three countries plan to continue working on AUKUS efforts begun under the Biden administration, which used the deal to reduce certain export control restrictions for Australia and the U.K. under both the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations (see 2412040044, 2408160019 and 2410010030). Both Secretary of State Marco Rubio (see 2501280018) and Defense Secretary Pete Hesgseth (see 2502100012) have voiced support for AUKUS.