AUKUS submarine deal faces criticism and threats from China.

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating criticized the country's agreement to obtain three nuclear-powered submarines from the US, calling it "the worst deal in all history." Keating argued that the submarines would not serve any useful purpose in defending Australia against China, as the only way China could attack Australia is on land. The agreement, part of the AUKUS partnership between the US, UK, and Australia, is expected to cost between $178 billion and $245 billion. Chinese officials have criticized the deal as a "typical Cold War mentality."