Former prime minister Scott Morrison claims the idea of AUKUS "began" during US President Donald Trump's first term.
"What I know about President Trump is this; he wants a good deal, and he doesn't like passengers in a deal, and he doesn't like partners who take the US's involvement for granted," Mr Morrison said.
"Now, Australia can be accused of none of those things.
"It was the Trump administration that had been with us in calling out what was happening in the Indo-Pacific that is what spawned the need to change."
The former prime minister claimed the AUKUS pact talks "all began" in President Trump's first term.
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