United States Studies Centre

@USSC

The leading think tank analysing US foreign policy, defence, economics, technology, politics and culture. Join us: http://www.ussc.edu.au/subscribe

Australia

Joined February 2009

2KFollowing

9KFollowers

United States Studies Centre@USSC · 17 h

Trump’s $10B defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal faces big hurdles. @USSC’s @HarryMelkonian says US law makes it extremely difficult for public figures to win such cases — unlike in Australia, where the burden of proof is reversed. Read: abc.net.au/news/2025-07-2…

USSC's tweet card. Legal experts say US defamation laws make cases brought forward by public figures "extremely" difficult for them to win.

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 22

The US is loosening restrictions on missile and drone exports — a major shift with big implications for allies like Australia. @USSC’s Chris Watterson explains what it means for defence ties, AUKUS and industry. Read the brief: ussc.edu.au/us-mtcr-reform…

USSC's tweet card. US MTCR reform and its implications for Australian industry and defence

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 21

Biden’s AI Diffusion Rule was quickly scrapped by Trump over complexity and industry concerns. With an announcement expected soon, what Trump replaces it with could reshape global AI. Our experts unpack what might come next. Read the explainer: ussc.edu.au/the-us-ai-diff…

USSC's tweet card. The US AI Diffusion Rule: What is it, why did the United States rescind it, and implications for...

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 21

With traditional policy processes sidelined, Elbridge Colby is steering AUKUS with sharp demands. @USSC’s @DrMichaelJGreen says allies like Australia will feel the pressure — but the "fundamental interests" will not change. Read: theage.com.au/world/north-am…

USSC's tweet card. The China hawk, who is now third-in-charge at the Pentagon and is reviewing the submarine deal, has quickly courted controversy. So what does he want from Australia?

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 21

Defence spending is rising — but US trade policy may be getting in the way. @USSC’s @DrMichaelJGreen says tariff threats are “slowing down” deeper cooperation with key allies like Australia, Japan, and South Korea. Read: smh.com.au/world/north-am…

USSC's tweet card. “We’re pretty bullish about our contribution,” Australia’s ambassador to the US said amid calls for Canberra to increase defence spending as part of the AUKUS agreement.

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 18

Trump’s handling of the Epstein files may frustrate supporters who expected full transparency. @Sydney_Uni/@USSC's @dtsmith_sydney says this disconnect could open space for challengers like Elon Musk who could be a "powerful spoiler." Listen: abc.net.au/listen/program…

USSC's tweet card. The unemployment rate has jumped as tens of thousands of Australians lost full-time positions in June.

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 17

“It’s very dangerous for a politician to alienate that hardcore [base].” On the Epstein files saga, @USSC’s @HarryMelkonian says the Trump administration now finds itself in a difficult position — bound to "inflame this group of people." Read: abc.net.au/news/2025-07-1…

USSC's tweet card. Donald Trump's derision of some supporters as "weaklings" is the latest spray in an ongoing attempt to shift the public conversation past calls for the full release of files linked to the Jeffrey...

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 15

Three years since Russia’s invasion, US support for Ukraine is evolving. So what does it mean for the rest of the world? Hear from top experts as they unpack it, plus virtual remarks from Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia, @AmbVasyl. Join the discussion: ussc.edu.au/can-ukraine-su…

USSC's tweet card. A panel of experts explore what the evolving international landscape means for Ukraine, Europe, and Australia.

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 14

Despite current tensions, support for the US–Japan alliance remains strong. @USSC’s @DrMichaelJGreen notes that 90% of the Japanese public backs the alliance, and while Tokyo is “exasperated” by recent developments, it’s not panicking. Read: ft.com/content/009d0c…

USSC's tweet card. After warm relations during his first term, Tokyo has not adapted to Donald Trump’s transactional approach in trade and defence

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 14

What does US military strategy in the Indo-Pacific look like in a world of great power competition? Hear it from the source. General David Berger, former Marine Corps Commandant and architect of Force Design 2030, is joining us at SISF. Secure tickets: ussc.edu.au/sydney-interna…

USSC's tweet image. What does US military strategy in the Indo-Pacific look like in a world of great power competition?

Hear it from the source.

General David Berger, former Marine Corps Commandant and architect of Force Design 2030, is joining us at SISF.

Secure tickets: ussc.edu.au/sydney-interna…

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 14

The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) turns 20 this year. As global trade shifts from liberalisation to security, where does the trade relationship stand? @USSC’s @Tom_1_Barrett unpacks the past, present and future of it. Read: ussc.edu.au/ausfta-at-20-t…

USSC's tweet image. The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) turns 20 this year.

As global trade shifts from liberalisation to security, where does the trade relationship stand? @USSC’s @Tom_1_Barrett unpacks the past, present and future of it.

Read: ussc.edu.au/ausfta-at-20-t…

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 11

As China signals shifts in its steel sector, the future of Australia’s $100bn iron ore trade is on the line. “There’s only one commodity that Treasury worries about… Iron ore just dominates,” says @USSC’s John Kunkel. Read: theaustralian.com.au/world/anthony-…

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 10

What’s next for AUKUS under Trump? Former Pentagon Chief of Staff Kelly Magsamen joined us on the pod to discuss the upcoming AUKUS review, defence spending shifts and how Australia fits into Trump’s “Golden Dome” vision. Listen: ussc.edu.au/podcasts/ussc-…

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 10

“Pharmaceutical exports from Australia aren’t even in the US’s top 10 countries,” says @USSC’s @HayleyChanner. Trump’s proposed 200% pharmaceutical tariffs would have a far greater impact on major exporters like Ireland, Switzerland and Germany. Listen: abc.net.au/listen/program…

USSC's tweet card. Pharmaceutical products are among Australia's top exports to the US, but they could soon face a mammoth tariff hike.

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 9

Elon Musk's new party is unlikely to gain traction in the two-party-dominated landscape of US politics, says @Sydney_uni/@USSC's @dtsmith_sydney. Why? Because it's "a winner-take-all, single-member district [electoral] system all the way down." Read: dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/nor…

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United States Studies Centre@USSC · Jul 9

"Now we're in a situation where the US is trying to negotiate 100 trade deals at once," says @Sydney_uni/@ussc's @dtsmith_sydney after Trump announced a series of new trade measures. Read: canberratimes.com.au/story/9011611/…

USSC's tweet card. One of Australia's biggest US exports has been threatened with hefty tariffs, but many doubt whether Donald Trump...

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