Australians should not be deluded that the strength and closeness of the military alliance with the US can be relied on to shield industries from Donald Trump-imposed tariffs, strategic analysts warn.

While Mr Trump promised Anthony Albanese he would consider exempting Australian steel and aluminium exports from tariffs, the fact that local producers have found themselves in the crosshairs highlights that even staunch allies are at risk of being a casualty of the president’s trade wars.