‘Australia broke its word’: Trump bombshell
An ominous new detail on Australia has emerged in the executive order signed by Donald Trump today.
Donald Trump has accused Australia of breaking its word on aluminium exports in a new Presidential order issued by the US as he considers offering a carve out for 25 per cent tariffs.
Despite describing the Prime Minister as a “fine man” and confirming he will consider Australia’s pleas for a tariff exemption, the presidential proclamation on the aluminium tariffs says Australia “disregarded a verbal commitment” to limit aluminium exports.
“The volume of US imports of aluminum articles from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, EU countries, and the UK in 2024 was approximately 14 per cent higher than the average volume of such imports in 2015 through 2017,” the proclamation said.
“The volume of US imports of primary aluminum from Australia has also surged and in 2024 was approximately 103 per cent higher than the average volume for 2015 through 2017.
“Australia has disregarded its verbal commitment to voluntarily restrain its aluminum exports to a reasonable level.”
The Albanese Government remains cautiously optimistic that the US President will offer Australia a better deal despite the US President’s initial claims there will be no exemptions.
The move will simplify tariffs on the metals “so that everyone can understand exactly what it means,” Mr Trump told reporters. “It’s 25 per cent without exceptions or exemptions. That’s all countries, no matter where it comes from, all countries.”
Last year, Australia exported 223,000 tonnes of steel to the US, and 83,000 tonnes of aluminium or around 1 per cent of our exports
Trump singles out Australia after tariff order
Mr Trump has slapped 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, but will give “great consideration” to an exemption for Australia after a phone call with Anthony Albanese.
“This is a big deal,” Trump said while signing the executive order in the Oval Office.
“The beginning of making America rich again.”
The Albanese Government remains confident that a special deal for Australia is in the offing.
“Today I’m simplifying our tariffs on steel and aluminum,” Mr Trump said. “It’s 25 per cent without exceptions or exemptions.”
Australia’s trade minister Don Farrell is planning to fly to the US within days to hold talks with his counterpart over a possible exemption for Australia.
Shortly after signing the tariff order where he insisted there would be no exceptions, he confirmed that Australia might secure a better deal.
“Mr President, the Australian prime minister has said you are considering an exemption for Australia on steel. Is that correct?,” Mr Trump was asked.
“I just spoke to him. Very fine man. He has a surplus,” the US leader replied.
“We have a surplus with Australia. One of the few. And the reason is they buy a lot of airplanes.
“They’re rather far away and they need lots of airplanes. We actually have a surplus. It’s one of the only countries which we do.
“And I told him that that’s something that we’ll give great consideration to.”
https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/needless-insult-to-australia-donald-trump-accused-of-stiffing-us-with-new-tariff-plan/news-story/0c7550cac41f08987b4d499bc8fe9f2f