How Australia was blindsided on the US tariffs

Australia pulled out all stops to avoid Donald Trump’s duties on steel and aluminium, but “it’s impossible to negotiate with someone who doesn’t want anything”.

US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Bloomberg

Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondent

Mar 14, 2025 – 3.44pm

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he bad news was delivered a day early – and came from an unexpected one-two punch.

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Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondentAndrew Tillett writes on politics, foreign affairs, defence and security from the Canberra press gallery.