US Senators demand to know why ‘one of our strongest allies’ Australia was hit with tariffs

Enraged Democrats have gone in to bat for Australia as “one of our strongest allies” in a fiery US tariffs showdown with their Republican counterparts.

Tensions have flared over the United States’ “insulting” decision to tariff Australian exports, with Donald Trump’s trade representative struggling to explain why the US clobbered a key ally.

In a tense exchange in the US Senate Finance Committee, Senator Mark Warner asked US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to explain why friends like Australia were hit with a 10 per cent tariff as part of Mr Trump’s sweeping “liberation day” levies, a move he said undermined the national security of both countries.

Senator Mark Warner questions US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Picture: AP Photo

Mr Greer sought to blame Australia’s trade barriers including a “ban” on American beef and pork imports, and the News Media Bargaining Code which requires social media giants to fairly remunerate news companies for the use of content.

He also described biosecurity requirements that make it difficult for the US to import beef into Australia as “specious fake science”.

“Australia is one of our strongest allies, we have the AUKUS relationship which is key to their national security, which is key to our industrial base so we can continue to build subs, terribly important,” Mr Warner said.

“We have a free-trade agreement with Australia, we don’t have tariffs we even have … a trade surplus with Australia, so Ambassador Greer can you explain to me how it helps America’s national security or our trading balance … how with a trade surplus, with this strong relationship, Australia got hit with a ten per cent tariff as well?”

Mr Greer said Australia was given the “lowest rate available under the new program” in which a 10 per cent baseline minimum tariff will apply to all imports into the US from midnight (US time).

“Ambassador, excuse me,” Mr Warner interjected.

“There is a trade surplus. We already have a free-trade agreement … why did they get whacked in the first place?”

Jamieson Greer was scathing of Australia. Picture: AP Photo

Mr Greer blamed the previous administration’s financial position.

“We’re addressing the $1.2 trillion deficit, the largest in human history, that President Biden left us with,” he said.

“We should be running up the score on Australia, they ban our beef and they ban our pork…”.

Australia implemented a ban on beef imports in 2003 after an outbreak of mad cow disease but that was lifted in 2019, as long as it can be proved the animal was a “continual resident” in the country of export.

An exasperated Mr Warner, a Democratic Senator from Virginia, interrupted Mr Greer and urged him to “answer the question on Australia”.

“We have a trade surplus with Australia, we have a free-trade agreement,” the senator said.

“They’re an incredibly important national security partner. Why were they whacked with a tariff?”

Mr Greer said despite the trade agreement, “they ban our beef, they ban our pork they’re getting ready to impose measures on our digital companies, it’s incredible”.

“We have a global tariff on everyone,” Mr Greer said, again blaming the Biden administrations finances.

A frustrated Mr Warner took aim at the response, telling Mr Jamieson: “Sir, you’re a much smarter person than that answer”.

“The idea that we are gonna whack friend and foe alike, and particularly friends … is both, I think insulting to the Australians, undermines our national security, and frankly makes us not a good partner going forward,” the senator said.

“The lack of trust from friends and allies based upon this ridiculous policy that goes into full effect at midnight tonight is extraordinary.”

Originally published as US Senators demand to know why ‘one of our strongest allies’ Australia was hit with tariffs