What you said about Donald Trump ruling out tariff exemption for Australia
Australia will not be granted an exemption from Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs – and that has only thrown more fuel on the fire. HAVE YOUR SAY
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia will not be granted an exemption from Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs – and that has only thrown more fuel on the fire.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Mr Trump has considered a request by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for an exemption but “considered against it”.
The confirmation comes after multiple attempts by Australian leaders to negotiate a carve out from the 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium due to come into effect tomorrow.
Asked why Australia would not be exempt, as it was under the previous Trump administration, Ms Leavitt said: “American-first steel. And if they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here.”
The Albanese government maintains it remains in “discussion” with the US government about getting an exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs and “will have more to say” despite the White House ruling it out.
The confirmation came hours after Mr Trump threatened to hit Canadian steel and aluminium imports with tariffs of 50 per cent in a dramatic escalation of the trade war between the neighbours.
In a furious response to plans by Ontario to impose 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on electricity exports to the US, Mr Trump doubled the steel tariff, threatened to shut down Canada’s car manufacturing and reiterated his plans to make the country America’s 51st state.
The move prompted a backflip from Ontario Premier Doug Ford who lifted the electricity tariff after a “productive” conversation with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
News of the latest Australia/US discussions – and lack of exemption – sparked furious response from readers.
Many took aim at Mr trump for bullying the rest of the world.
Others, though, said they wished Australia’s leaders would show some strength back, either in the form of our own tariffs on the US or simply in words and actions.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
Not a Trump fan
Barry
Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Australia’s loyalty and support for the US means nothing to this president. No US products for me if I can help it.
King Matt
It wouldn’t matter who was the PM this was going to happen. Trump proved this when he spoke about Turnbull the other day.
Jane
The biggest Dictator of them all we need to get our act together or we won’t be the only ones occupying Australia in 20 years
Chook Raffle
I wonder how the isolationist and protectionist Mr. Trump would have fared with the free market Mrs. Thatcher?
NannaT62
He was never going to give us an exemption. No about of negotiating or flying to meet him face-to-face would have made a difference.
Fight fire with fire
Ocean Ryder
Simples. Australia must now put tariffs on US products including Tesla’s
Peter
We should put a huge tariff on the US use of Pine Gap.
Lorraine
Turf the USA from Pine Gap! Pine Gap is so important to world surveillance that it is reported to one of the first targets if nuclear weapons are used.
Igiveadamn
No more buying US brands here or online shopping from USA till Trump goes.
On Hold
50% on Tesla’s … 25% on all other USA products. Anything we buy form them, we can get elsewhere. Trump has no loyalty, show him none back.
All about egos
Roger
Asking for an exemption with the likes of Rudd, Turnbull, Wong and Albo around is just a waste of time. Trump doesn't respect weakness.
Bruce
So watch Donald Dutton change his persona now that he had hung his hat on all things Trump. With Trumps position on tariffs now directly impacting Australia, will we see Dutton take a new path, probably unlikely.
Dutton’s Delcons
It was all going along OK until a former Liberal PM opened his mouth in Dutton like fashion.
Phil
Australia will never get exemptions from Trump while Albanese & Rudd are involved in Government here unless they (Albo & Rudd) change certain policies & past comments!
Show some strength
Robert
The Albanese did not ‘fight ‘ hard enough for Australian jobs or Australia. Also obvious when just watching the Chinese flotilla go cruising by. They are too busy fighting ‘Tories’ to worry about anything else.
ryan
I think it is time that countries scrap the USD dollar and use the GBD Pound. It is time we stand-up and show the US they are not the economic powerhouse they once were.
John
We’re led by a PM that’s not even earned the right to be called on L plates, he’d plainly not be qualified to make the job in the first place if track record and testing was required like any top job outside the fake world of government where no requirements for abilities exists, let alone need to be proven.
C
how refreshing and rare for a politician to do exactly what he said he would! such a change, could anyone really see ours do the same, i don't think so!
Bolt: Trump is spitting in the face of a friend
We now see Donald Trump’s plan to Make America Great Again can mean Make Australia Poorer, or more in China’s grip.
Maiden: Trump v Australia tariff attack was the plan all along
Just before Donald Trump’s 27-year-old press secretary’s own tariff turmoil hit the headlines she gave away where Australia really stood, writes Samantha Maiden.