Latest news with #NewsMediaBargainingcode
West Australian
7 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
Trade Minister Don Farrell says meeting with US Trade Rep Jamieson Greer was ‘friendly,' not ‘difficult'
Trade Minister Don Farrell has detailed the discussion he had with his US counterpart Jamieson Greer, revealing he had the 'greatest confidence' in Anthony Albanese during an expected meeting with Donald Trump next weekend. Senator Farrell spoke to the US Trade Representative while in Paris last week and characterised the talk as 'friendly'. Despite this, he maintained the tariffs were 'simply unjustified', highlighting Australia's trade surplus with the US. Figures indicate Australia buys about $70bn worth of goods from the US, compared to the $30bn of exports Australia sells to America. 'It wasn't a difficult discussion in terms of the relationship between us, and I am certainly of the view that we have the opportunity to continue to talk with Jamieson and Commerce Secretary Lutnick to put our case across,' he said. Senator Farrell also said he was still determined to get the trade barriers slashed. 'It's only by open discussion, honest discussion, with our allies in the United States that I think we can do that, but I certainly haven't given up on the prospect of getting these tariffs removed,' he said. 'And every opportunity I get, I'll continue to pursue that argument with the United States.' However, Senator Farrell said the decision will be ultimately made by Donald Trump, putting increased pressure on Mr Albanese's upcoming meeting with the US President. He said that while there were a 'range of ways' in which Australia communicates with the US, the 'most important … relationship between our prime minister and the president of the United States'. 'Look every meeting, I think, between an Australian Prime Minister and the US president will always be a critical meeting and I have the greatest confidence in our prime minister to push the Australian point of view on this.' The trade barriers currently include a 50 per cent levy on steel, a 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and a blanket 10 per cent on other goods. While Mr Albanese maintained he won't compromise on Australia's biosecurity, he hinted Australia could review current settings which don't allow the US to import beef which originates from Canada and Mexico. Mr Albanese has also ruled out changes to the Pharmaceuticals Benefit Scheme, News Media Bargaining code and incoming ban on social media for under-16s, while highlighting Australia's critical minerals industry as a potential bargaining chip. 'If things can be sorted out in a way that protects our biosecurity – of course, we don't just say no, we don't want imports in here for the sake of it,' he told ABC radio on Friday. 'But our first priority is biosecurity and there'll be no compromise on that.' Mr Albanese said Australia would not have a 'subservient relationship to any nation'. 'We're a sovereign nation that stand on our own two feet,' he said. Senator Farrell also said he was 'confident' Australia can secure a new trade deal with the European Union, with EU President Ursula von der Leyen expected to visit Australia in July or August. 'We've got lots of things that we can sell to the to the Europeans. I believe now that there's an appetite to reach an agreement on both sides,' he said. 'The world has changed, those countries that believe in free and fair trade have to work together.'
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Inside key meeting to remove Trump tariffs
Trade Minister Don Farrell has detailed the discussion he had with his US counterpart Jamieson Greer, revealing he had the 'greatest confidence' in Anthony Albanese during an expected meeting with Donald Trump next weekend. Senator Farrell spoke to the US Trade Representative while in Paris last week and characterised the talk as 'friendly'. Despite this, he maintained the tariffs were 'simply unjustified', highlighting Australia's trade surplus with the US. Figures indicate Australia buys about $70bn worth of goods from the US, compared to the $30bn of exports Australia sells to America. 'It wasn't a difficult discussion in terms of the relationship between us, and I am certainly of the view that we have the opportunity to continue to talk with Jamieson and Commerce Secretary Lutnick to put our case across,' he said. Senator Farrell also said he was still determined to get the trade barriers slashed. 'It's only by open discussion, honest discussion, with our allies in the United States that I think we can do that, but I certainly haven't given up on the prospect of getting these tariffs removed,' he said. 'And every opportunity I get, I'll continue to pursue that argument with the United States.' Don Farrell characterised his meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as 'friendly'. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia However, Senator Farrell said the decision will be ultimately made by Donald Trump, putting increased pressure on Mr Albanese's upcoming meeting with the US President. He said that while there were a 'range of ways' in which Australia communicates with the US, the 'most important … relationship between our prime minister and the president of the United States'. 'Look every meeting, I think, between an Australian Prime Minister and the US president will always be a critical meeting and I have the greatest confidence in our prime minister to push the Australian point of view on this.' The trade barriers currently include a 50 per cent levy on steel, a 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and a blanket 10 per cent on other goods. While Mr Albanese maintained he won't compromise on Australia's biosecurity, he hinted Australia could review current settings which don't allow the US to import beef which originates from Canada and Mexico. Anthony Albanese is expected to meet Donald Trump when he travels to the G7 on the weekend. NewsWire/ Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Albanese has also ruled out changes to the Pharmaceuticals Benefit Scheme, News Media Bargaining code and incoming ban on social media for under-16s, while highlighting Australia's critical minerals industry as a potential bargaining chip. 'If things can be sorted out in a way that protects our biosecurity – of course, we don't just say no, we don't want imports in here for the sake of it,' he told ABC radio on Friday. 'But our first priority is biosecurity and there'll be no compromise on that.' Mr Albanese said Australia would not have a 'subservient relationship to any nation'. 'We're a sovereign nation that stand on our own two feet,' he said. Senator Farrell also said he was 'confident' Australia can secure a new trade deal with the European Union, with EU President Ursula von der Leyen expected to visit Australia in July or August. 'We've got lots of things that we can sell to the to the Europeans. I believe now that there's an appetite to reach an agreement on both sides,' he said. 'The world has changed, those countries that believe in free and fair trade have to work together.'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pledge as US tech giants target Aussies
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said he will defend Australian parents and 'protect kids online' as US tech giants move to target the country's digital trade and regulation laws. Meta, Alphabet, Apple and X have lodged an official complaint with America's Office of the United States Trade Representative, singling out Australia's News Media Bargaining code, local content requirements and AI regulation as examples of 'unfair trade practices'. The 25-page complaint, compiled by the Computer and Communications Industry Association and lodged on March 11, claims local laws are unfairly stripping billions of dollars in revenue from US firms operating in Australia. Mr Chalmers, speaking on Sky News on Friday morning, said it was 'not surprising' the tech giants would take an adversarial view to legislation dictating their operations, but his government would make decisions in Australia's 'national interest'. 'To protect kids online, for example, or to make sure there's a level playing field in our media, with our media organisations,' he said. 'Those are our motivations. We're not surprised that from time to time the tech giants will have different views about that. 'But our job is to implement the best set of arrangements that we can to look after Australians online.' The economic power of US tech has exploded over the past two decades. Apple's market capitalisation alone is about $5 trillion, which is larger than the entire Australian economy. But the giants have expressed anger over local legislation forcing them to divert profits to other parts of the Australian economy. 'The News Media Bargaining Code requires US online service providers, when designated, to pay Australian news publishers for the links and snippets,' the complaint document states. 'Currently, the two companies targeted by the law pay $250m annually through deals that were coerced through the threat of this law. 'However, with the threat of the new 'incentive' tax from the Australian government, this cost is likely to significantly increase.' The complaint also calls out local content requirements for streaming and entertainment production companies and proposed regulations around AI that the association claims would add 'significant compliance burdens' on American firms. Tech titans like Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla's Elon Musk and Amazon's Jeff Bezos moved to court US President Donald Trump following his victory last November and enjoy access to the White House. 'It's self-evident that they are very close with the US administration,' Mr Chalmers said. 'Our focus and our job is to make our case in the US, as we have been doing, but to also make sure we continue to make the best decisions that we can for Australia. 'I think a lot of people around the country, not just parents but including parents, they want to make sure there are appropriate protections for people online. 'The tech giants won't always like that, won't always agree with that, but we've got to do that job on behalf of the people of Australia and there will be different views about how we go about that as we roll it out.' The complaint could potentially spark a new front in Mr Trump's trade war against Australia after he slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Australian steel and aluminium. The complaint followed a call from the trade office for comment from US industry groups about discriminatory practices and taxes their members face in foreign markets. Sign in to access your portfolio
