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Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
PM urges 'free and fair trade' to US business figures
The prime minister will emphasise the importance of free and fair trade to US business leaders ahead of major talks with world powers. Anthony Albanese landed in Seattle, in the US state of Washington, on Saturday as part of a whirlwind tour that could end in a meeting with US President Donald Trump about his controversial tariffs. Washington state is home to several tech and engineering giants such as Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon, and Mr Albanese will attend the Technology and Innovation Business Reception on Saturday local time to address companies like BHP Ventures, Airwallex and Anthropic. "Free and fair trade has transformed the economies of our region," the prime minister will say in his remarks. "We should not lose sight of the profound opportunities that can be realised by closer and deeper co-operation - the businesses in this room are proof of that. "In a time of global uncertainty, all of you represent cause for optimism." The visit comes after he held security and climate talks in Fiji however, these pit stops play second fiddle to his trip's upcoming centrepiece. Seven of the world's largest advanced economies will gather in Canada from Sunday for the multi-day G7 summit. The event is often used to discuss solutions to major global issues like trade, security, economics and climate change, and in a year largely defined by trade tariffs, the topic is expected to take the spotlight. Australia is not part of the G7 but Mr Albanese has been invited, fuelling speculation he will meet President Trump on the sidelines of the event. The prime minister appears to be preparing for the possibility - his remarks reheat Labor's lines on US tariffs, emphasising Australia will engage "respectfully and constructively" in its national interest. Australia currently faces 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like all US trading partners except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America. The Australian government is considering using critical minerals and US beef imports as bargaining chips in tariff talks. However, Mr Albanese has not yet confirmed whether he will sit down with Mr Trump. The prime minister has already had three discussions with the US president as his government, including Australia's ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, have tried to negotiate a tariff exemption. Mr Albanese will also visit the Amazon corporate headquarters in Seattle to highlight the company's multi-billion-dollar investment in Australian data centres.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Albo's pointed push to US business leaders
Anthony Albanese will push the benefits of free and fair trade when he speaks to US-based business leaders in Seattle ahead of a highly-anticipated but yet-to-be confirmed meeting with Donald Trump. The Prime Minister arrived in Seattle in the early hours of Saturday morning local time, where he will tour the Amazon headquarters and spruik the tech giant's billions-dollars commitment to expand Australia's data centre network. Mr Albanese is also scheduled to deliver a speech to business leaders at the Technology and Innovation Business Reception on Saturday evening, where he's expected to say that free and fair trade has 'transformed the economies of our region'. The event will be attended by senior representatives from BHP Ventures, quantum computing leader Diraq, Trellis Health, Airwallex and Anthropic, and promote the success and innovation behind the 1100+ Australian companies which have a physical presence in the US. Australia's US Ambassador Kevin Rudd, who was seen in Canberra on Thursday before Mr Albanese departed on his six-day international trip, is also expected to give a short speech. 'Free and fair trade has transformed the economies of our region. And it underpins economic partnership between our two nations, including through the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, signed twenty years ago,' Mr Albanese is expected to say. 'Today, the United States is Australia's largest foreign investment destination and our largest two-way investment partner. Our task is to build on this strength – and diversify beyond it. Anthony Albanese is visiting the US on his way to Canada for the G7 summit. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia 'To seek out new sources for growth and investment, particularly in the sectors you represent.' The pointed remarks come as Mr Albanese is facing increased pressure to secure a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. The pivotal meeting, which will be Mr Albanese's first since Mr Trump was re-elected in November last year, will likely cover whether Australia can broker a tariff exemption, Australia's defence spending which remains short of the 3.5 per cent called on by the US, and more clarity on the future of the AUKUS security defence pact. While AUKUS sceptic and secretary for defence policy Elbridge Colby has been tasked with leading the Pentagon's review into the security pact, Mr Albanese has said the 'very confident' AUKUS remained in the 'interests of all three of our nations, and that it will play an important role in peace, security and stability around the world'. Following the brief US stopover, Mr Albanese will head north to Calgary in Canada, before travelling to Kananskis.
