Kevin Rudd slams Donald Trump over Australia's nuclear-powered submarines deal

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has slammed former US President Donald Trump over his handling of the Australia's nuclear-powered submarines deal.

Rudd said that Trump's decision to scrap the deal was a "betrayal" of Australia and that it had damaged the relationship between the two countries.

The deal, which was announced in September 2021, would have seen the US provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

However, Trump scrapped the deal in April 2017, just weeks after he took office.

Rudd said that Trump's decision was a "betrayal" of Australia and that it had damaged the relationship between the two countries.

"Trump's decision to scrap the deal was a betrayal of trust," Rudd said.

"It was a betrayal of the relationship between Australia and the United States."

Rudd said that the deal was important for Australia's security and that it would have helped to deter China from becoming more aggressive in the region.

"The deal would have given Australia the capability to defend itself against China," Rudd said.

"It would have also helped to deter China from becoming more aggressive in the region."

Rudd's comments come as relations between Australia and the United States are at a low point.

The two countries have been at odds over a number of issues, including trade and climate change.

Rudd's comments are likely to further strain relations between the two countries.

The Australian government has not yet commented on Rudd's comments.