There are no plans to invite Canada to a security pact between Australia, the UK, and the United States focused on defence technology cooperation, says U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

The trilateral security pact, AUKUS, was formed in 2021 and has been seen as a way to counter China’s growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

While its current primary, or “pillar one” focus is to help Australia develop nuclear-powered submarines, its “pillar two” focus includes collaboration on many technologies, including electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.