Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a constructive phone call with US President Donald Trump. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
US President Donald Trump is giving “great consideration” to exempting Australia from an across-the-board 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports.
And he reckons Anthony Albanese is a “very fine man”, too.
The Prime Minister spoke with President Trump on Tuesday morning (11 February) Australian time. During the conversation, the PM pushed Australia’s case for an exemption, and both men agreed to use the term “under consideration” in relation to it.
“On tariffs, we discussed Australia’s position when it comes to tariffs, particularly with regard to steel and aluminium,” Mr Albanese said at a subsequent media conference.
“The US has a trade surplus with Australia that it’s had since the Truman Administration. It’s about two-to-one when it comes to trade between our two countries.
“The US is an important investor, of course, here in Australia as well. When you look at the imports of these products into the US, it’s about 1 per cent of imports of steel and 2 per cent of aluminium.
“Our steel is an important input for US manufacturing. BlueScope is the US’s fifth largest steel maker. They’ve invested $5 billion in the US across a range of states.
“I think there’s more than 30 different investments there. And, of course, the major export is Colourbond, which is for roofs in California on the West Coast. And it plays an important role.
“Aluminium is a critical input for downstream manufacturing in the United States and our steel and aluminium are both key inputs for the US-Australia defence industries in both of our countries.
“I presented Australia’s case for an exemption and we agreed on wording to say publicly, which is that the US President agreed that an exemption was under consideration in the interests of both of our countries.”
Moments after Mr Albanese’s press conference, the White House announced that Mr Trump was signing executive orders for a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium.
And although Mr Trump initially said there would be no exemptions, he confirmed he was giving “great consideration” to one for Australia.
Asked about his call with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Trump called Mr Albanese a “very fine man”.
“We have a surplus with Australia, one of the few,” the President said.
“I told him that [exempting Australia from the tariffs] is something we will give great consideration.”
Donald Trump: “I told (Anthony Albanese that exempting Australia from the tariffs) is something we will give great consideration.” Photo: Gage Skidmore.
It was Mr Albanese’s second call with Mr Trump, which the PM said was positive and constructive.
“We’ll continue to engage diplomatically, and we, of course, will use all of the human assets at our disposal,” the Prime Minister said.
“Australians will always stand up for Australia’s interests, and we will do that. We’ll continue to put the case.
“If you have a look at what we’ve achieved already, it’s been a tremendous start to the relationship … This is one of President Trump’s first calls that he’s had with world leaders as well.
“It was one of the first calls that was had between leaders after his election victory as well. The relationship is in good shape … The words that I’ve used are the words that I’ll stick to. And it’s appropriate when you’re dealing with the President of the United States to not speak on his behalf.
“And they are the words that are agreed. They’re the words that I’ll stick to. And I can say, though, that it was a very positive and constructive discussion.”
Tuesday’s phone call lasted just under 45 minutes. It canvassed the bilateral relationship on a number of fronts, including Defence and the AUKUS agreement, critical minerals and Australia as a source of investment capital.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said during a subsequent media appearance that the Coalition also wanted to see Australia exempt from the tariffs.
If it weren’t exempted, the bilateral relationship would be adversely affected, he said.
“I think it’s very important for the United States and for the Trump Administration to hear that there is a bipartisan position in relation to the Prime Minister’s call to remove this tariff from a very close and dear ally of the United States,” Mr Dutton said.
“I want there to be a very clear message to the Trump Administration that we don’t believe that this tariff should be put in place.
“If it remains in place, then I believe it will damage the relationship between the United States and Australia.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Riotact.
