China threat or not, we must upgrade defence now

I suspect our Prime Minister may be a little relieved he doesn’t have to front Donald Trump in a bilateral meeting at the G7 (“PM meeting with Trump off amid early G7 summit exit shock”, 17/6). But from Trump’s nodding to the British PM, it seems the US remains committed to AUKUS.

Obviously, Trump’s early departure from the G7 is a result of what appears the imminent escalation of the US involvement in the Israel-Iran war.

This could be good for Australia as the US military could potentially find itself extended by fighting on two fronts if China decides to whack Taiwan while the US is already committed to the Middle East.

Hopefully, Trump will now likely see the critical nature of other Indo-Pacific nations in contributing to the allied defence effort. Having said that, Australia, with its present defence capability, can contribute next to nothing.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

It seems China is the new threat to watch (“US-China war: we would be in”, 17/6).

Why on earth would our biggest trade partner invade Australia, when it’s much cheaper, and completely risk-free, to simply continue buying what it wants from us?

If our so-called leaders are genuinely alarmed at seeing Chinese ships in our waters, why is the Port of Darwin still under Chinese control?

And if the threat is so great, why does Australia keep selling to China the iron ore that makes the steel for its warships? And why the obsession with AUKUS?

If, as we are now being led to believe, we are in such clear and present danger, why is there no credible Plan B to provide and bolster our short-term defensive needs?

Phantom subs aside, by its very nature, AUKUS will condemn Australia’s defence force to being nothing more than an auxiliary arm of the Americans.

In effect, our political leaders, not China, will be responsible for Australia forgoing its sovereignty.

Martin Klavins, Crafers West, SA

Greg Sheridan rightly highlights the return of nuclear weapons to the centre of global strategy (“Are we already in a new world war?” 17/6). In an era where US commitments are increasingly uncertain, it would be wise for Australian leaders to reconsider long-term defence options – including nuclear capability.

Nations such as Ukraine and Taiwan might have avoided threats had they retained or developed such deterrents.

Australia once debated this path. That discussion is no less relevant today, especially when, in a future crisis, we may find ourselves with no ally but ourselves.

James A. Athanasou, Maroubra, NSW

The AUKUS pact was designed to be of mutual benefit to the three nations involved.

It seems that it has become refocused exclusively on the arrival of a submarine some years into the future.

There are a number of immediate and pressing issues that would benefit from well-tuned consultation to the benefit of all three countries, especially in these times of developing crises around the world.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could ask President Donald Trump, in the spirit of the AUKUS pact, what we as a nation can do to support or contribute to his deliberations. This could be a useful, if novel, idea as a starting point rather than demanding that our requests should be met.

It is perhaps worthy of further consideration?

Stephanie Summers, North Turramurra, NSW

I read with interest the article by Richard Spencer on the Aihui History Exhibition Hall, and the inscription of Xi Jinping’s on China and friendship, with the first two sentences being: “The weak are bullied, those who lag are left behind.”

I immediately thought about this country. I think it’s imperative that our Prime Minister and Defence Minister really do something now about our parlous defence capabilities. We are already lagging behind, but we may now have an opportunity to do a little catching up.

Colleen Walker, Mt Louisa, Qld

If a decision isn’t made pretty quickly to lift our defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP, history will criticise our naivety for generations to come.

Ross McDonald, Gordon, NSW