The White House has today confirmed that Australia will not be granted an exemption from Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, despite efforts from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the exemption request from Australia was considered but rejected, explaining, “American-first steel. And if they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here.”
The Albanese government insists that discussions with the US are ongoing, though experts initially believed Australia had a strong case due to its usual trade surplus with the US.
However, recent trade data showing Australia’s first surplus with the US in over forty years, driven by gold exports, may have weakened its position.
Australia’s Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan criticised Albanese for not travelling to Washington to argue Australia’s case, pointing out that other Quad and AUKUS leaders had met Trump in person.
“Albanese has failed Australian steel and aluminium workers,” Hogan said.
Trump’s decision follows his dramatic escalation of trade tensions with Canada, where he threatened a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports.
Source: The Advertiser
