AUKUS: Public Opinions

This study examines the AUKUS security partnership, established in September 2021, with a focus on public opinion and its relation to national policy in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Using weekly Google Trends data from September 2021 to July 2025, the research identifies differences in public attention and the key drivers shaping perceptions of AUKUS. Australians emphasise costs and uncertainties; the British prioritise economic opportunities and diplomatic influence; and Americans focus on strategic considerations. China-related factors—particularly the perceived China Threat—play a central role in shaping public sentiment in Australia and the United States, whereas in the United Kingdom, a combination of China influence, employment concerns, and the Global Britain agenda drives attention. The study also considers policy implications, finding a strong alignment between public opinion and government policy across the three countries. While the core AUKUS narrative centres on the UK, the United Kingdom may also play a leading role in setting the policy agenda. These findings demonstrate the utility of time-series digital data for assessing public perceptions and offer a novel approach for understanding the interaction between public sentiment and foreign policy.