UK, Australia and US agree partnership to boost defences and share nuclear submarine secrets

The UK, Australia and the United States have agreed a “landmark” partnership to boost their defences and share nuclear submarine secrets at a time of growing concern over China.

Australia could join forces with the US, Japan and India to create an alliance named ‘The Quad’ to reduce reliance on trade with China

• Australia could form economic bloc dubbed ‘The Quad’ with US, Japan and India 
• US state official said the four-way country grouping could fill Indo-Pacific region
• Added South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand could eventually join the alliance
• The US said ‘The Quad’ could protect against ‘a potential challenge from China’
• Move comes amid rising tensions between the Australian government and China