内容摘要：Yet with a general election due in Chile later this year, the uncertainty may continue at least in the short term.

Yet with a general election due in Chile later this year, the uncertainty may continue at least in the short term.

Marles was also asked about Hegseth's call for Indo-Pacific partners to increase defence spending as a bulwark against the threat of China.Marles said "we actually are taking steps down this path… we understand it, we're up for it." US President Donald Trump has called on Australia to increase its spending to 3%, but Canberra has yet to publicly commit to that number.

Marles added that part of that spending would come under Aukus, a pact among Australia, the UK and the US to build up a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.He said projects under the pact were "on track" and he was "very optimistic" about the progress, including more visits of American submarines to Australia and rotations through a Perth-based navy base.In a separate interview with the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner, the Philippines defence minister Teodoro said China has been "absolutely irresponsible and reckless in appropriating most, if not all, of the South China Sea and the world cannot tolerate this."

The two countries have repeatedly clashed over competing claims in the South China Sea, and the Philippines has complained of aggressive and violent tactics by the Chinese coast guard.He echoed the call for a preservation of the international order, saying that "the takeaway of a lot of defence ministers is that Europe and the US must continue to lead" on this.

"That was the call of the Philippines. That is the call of Lithuania, Latvia, the smaller countries who have a way of life that values freedom and dignity of the human being."

"And with a way of life that we don't want the deep state looking over our shoulders or being scared of what we say," he said, referring to China.Imports from about 60 trading partners that the White House has described as the "worst offenders", including the European Union, Vietnam, South Africa and more, will face higher rates.

Trump has described these taxes as payback for unfair trade policies.On Friday, Trump announced the

from 25% to 50%, beginning on Wednesday.Like with most of the announced tariffs, Trump said the move would help boost local steel industry, while reducing US reliance on China.