THE US marine rotational deployment to Australia could end up costing taxpayers billions if Donald Trump is elected president.
In a scripted address, a step away from the rambling off-the-cuff speeches he is known for, Mr Trump demanded US allies Europe and Asia "pay up and contribute" to their own defence and promises to "tear up trade deals" that he said weakened America. The US is a signatory to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiated between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam and the US. 
The fifth rotation of marines landed in Darwin last month.
Mr Trump believes these allies take advantage of the US, but it is understood foreign policy experts don't see Australia falling into this category. There have been intense negotiations between Australia and the US on who will pay for increased defence infrastructure as a result of the deployments. It is estimated more than $2.5 billion will be spent, with the majority of this being earmarked for the Northern Territory.
A second round of negotiations last month failed to break the impasse over the regional force posture agreement and which country would pick up the tab to host the marines and equipment, believed to be between $20 million and $30 million a year.
While agreement had been reached on the $3 billion for larger-scale infrastructure including runway upgrades and industrial facilities - outlined in the Defence White Paper - talks have been bogged down over cost sharing between US and Australian governments for housing and utilities - including sewage and power.Defence Minister Marise Payne confirmed that agreement had not yet been reached despite two rounds of negotiations, in   December last year and again in   March this year. The deal to double the number of marines through Northern Australia was struck between US President Barack Obama and then prime minister Julia Gillard in 2011.