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In Washington on Monday, Anthony Albanese made something clear once again: Australia is all-in on AUKUS.

But clarifying what US powerbrokers think of the defence pact remains complicated.

Some big commitments have been welcomed by the deal's supporters, however, and uncertainty regarding Donald Trump's support for AUKUS, for example, was erased.

The president had seldom spoken about the pact since returning to the White House in January, but on Monday the commander-in-chief said it was "full steam ahead".

Despite Mr Trump's strong words, some question marks remain.

Navy Secretary John Phelan signalled during the meeting the US would be looking to clear up ambiguities and deliver improvements, but he did not provide specifics.

AUKUS is also the subject of a Pentagon review, the findings of which are due to be handed down before the end of the year.

"What's in that review is unclear," said Mallory Shellbourne from the independent not-for-profit US Naval Institute.