Labor maintains ‘pathway' to Australian steel tariff exemption after Donald Trump doubles levee to 50pc

News.com.au

2 days ago

New Employment and Industrial Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has maintained there is a 'pathway' for Australia to obtain an exemption from Donald Trump's upped tariffs on imported steel, with Anthony Albanese set to meet the US President in a weeks.
Her comments come after Mr Trump blindsided world leaders be announcing he would be doubling the levees on imported steel to 50 per cent in order to 'further secure the steel industry in the United States'.
This is in addition to the 25 per cent on aluminium tariffs, plus a blanket 10 per cent levee on Australian goods.
Speaking on Sky, Ms Rishworth said the government will 'throw everything' at the negotiations, and said they were 'unjustifiable moves' and not what you'd expect from a 'friend and an ally'.
'We have, of course, continued to work through this and be in contact with those Americans in the administration to work through in a methodical and consistent way. And we'll continue to put forward that these tariffs should be removed from Australian steel, and we'll continue to do that and put forward our national industries.'
However she said she believed Australia would be able to secure an exemption.
'What we see is a pathway forward, which is to not apply these tariffs to Australian steel,' she said.
'I don't need to remind you … that America imports a lot more source sends a lot more stuff to Australia than we send to America, but we have a very had, have always had a very close relationship with America, and we expect to continue to work through this issue and put forward our consistent position.'
The Prime Minister is also set to speak to Mr Trump for the first time after securing a second term of government, with both leaders set to attend the G7 in Canada from June 15 to 17.
It's expected the pair will speak on the sidelines of the summit.
Mr Albanese has also said that he's officially invited Mr Trump to visit Australia.
While Mr Albanese has yet to comment on the increased tariffs, Trade Minister Don Farrell maintained on Saturday that the levees were an 'act of economic self harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade'.
'Australia's position has been consistent and clear,' Senator Farrell said on Saturday.
'We will continue to engage and advocate strongly for the removal of the tariffs. It is unjustified, and it's not what you do to a friend and an ally.'
Newly minted Coalition finance spokesman James Paterson also told Sky on Sunday that that it was a 'deeply disappointing decision' from the US government and said Mr Albanese had to 'robustly stand up for Australia's national interest'.
However Senator Paterson is was 'unfortunate' that Mr Albanese and Mr Trump's first meeting will be at the G7, eight months after Mr Trump's re-election in November.
'It has taken an inordinately long period of time for him to go over there and have that meeting, so we can have that face-to-face opportunity to build a personal rapport, to advocate for our interests,' he said.