Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed a “great conversation” with US President Donald Trump, following an urgent phone call over new American tariffs on steel and aluminium—yet Australia remains in the firing line.
Trump announced overnight that all steel and aluminium imports will face a 25 per cent tariff with “no exemptions,” despite Albanese’s push for Australia to be spared.
“This is a big deal,” Trump declared while signing the executive order. “The beginning of making America rich again.”
Albanese, speaking from Canberra, revealed that he pressed Trump for an exemption, highlighting Australia’s strong economic ties with the US. “I presented Australia’s case, and we agreed on wording that the exemption is ‘under consideration’ in the interests of both nations,” he said. He emphasised Australia’s history of fair trade, adding,
“My government has a record of getting things done in Australia’s national interest, and I’ll continue to do so.”
Trade Minister Don Farrell is set to fly to Washington within days to negotiate a possible exemption, as Australian officials scramble to prevent a repeat of past trade tensions. Trump, while doubling down on tariffs, left the door open for Australia, acknowledging the two nations’ unique trade relationship.
“We have a surplus with Australia, one of the few,” he said.
“And the reason is, they buy a lot of airplanes. They are rather far away and need lots of airplanes.”
Trump’s tariff move has sparked backlash among US lawmakers, with Democratic Congressman Joe Courtney labelling it an “insult” to Australia—especially in the wake of the AUKUS defence deal, which saw Australia hand over an $800 million down payment last week.
“We just signed a cheque for US submarines, and two days later, we get slapped with tariffs,” Courtney fumed in the US House of Representatives.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who previously negotiated an exemption from Trump’s tariffs in 2017, urged Albanese to take a firm stance. “If Trump has decided to impose tariffs on everybody, no matter what, no amount of sucking up will change that,” Turnbull warned.
With Trump’s administration planning further trade measures in the coming weeks, Australia faces an uphill battle to secure an exemption. While Albanese remains diplomatic, pressure is mounting on his government to fight back—without jeopardising the broader alliance with the US.
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