NZ not first in line for Aukus, US says Japan the priority

Aukus is consulting Japan on whether it wants to join pillar two. (Image: Getty)

Wed, 24 Apr 2024

As New Zealand contemplates joining a United States defence alliance, the American undersecretary for arms control and international security has laid out a case for the benefits Five Eyes members will get from it.However, the undersecretary, Bonnie Jenkins, confirmed that Japan was next in line for Aukus pillar two membership rather than NZ or Canada – the two members of Five Eyes not currently in the alliance. “Japan will be the first to be consulted [on pillar two]; we recognise Japan’s strength and the close bila...

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