On the Defense and Aerospace Report Podcast, Patrick Cronin discusses the United States military’s strategy and budget (10:25); the AUKUS security pact, which includes Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (13:40); the direction of US-India relations (26:00); Japan’s frigate deal with Australia (31:20); China’s foreign policy in the Solomon Islands (33:50); and a possible US-China trade deal (45:00).

Caption
President Donald Trump shakes hands with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as he announces a trade deal with the EU at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 27, 2025, in Turnberry, Scotland. (Andrew Harnik via Getty Images)