Malcolm Turnbull rules out action against Donald Trump on US tariffs amid trade war concerns

EVEN though Malcolm Turnbull has secured a tariff exemption for Australia, he’s revealed why he won’t be taking action against Donald Trump amid concerns about a global trade war.

MALCOLM Turnbull has ruled out Australia taking action against Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

It comes after President Trump confirmed at the weekend Australia would be given an exemption from the tariffs.

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo had yesterday left open the door to Australia joining other nations to lobby the World Trade Organisation to force the United States to withdraw the tariffs amid concerns they could spark a global trade war.

Mr Ciobo told ABC yesterday Australia would “practice what we preach on free trade”, saying the government would look at the case.

Prime Minister Turnbull ruled out joining bringing any case to the WTO against the tariffs in a press conference to spruik Australia’s exemption in Port Kembla in New South Wales this morning.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during a visit to the BlueScope Steel Port Kembla. Picture: AAP

“There was speculation in the media about actions taken with other countries to do with the US steel and aluminium tariffs — as a country that is exempt from US tariffs, we don’t have a basis to bring a complaint,” he said.

Speaking alongside BlueScope Steel chief executive Mark Vassella, Mr Turnbull also rejected Labor’s calls to strengthen anti-dumping measures to counter the possibility other nations would “dump” cheap steel in Australia, if they couldn’t access the US.

Australia’s anti-dumping measures were already strong, he said.

US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull have confirmed Australia will be given an exemption from the US tariffs on steel and aluminium. Picture: Nathan Edwards

“There are 77 anti-dumping measures in place, 50 related to steel, seven are related to aluminium,” Mr Turnbull said.

“We want to ensure a level playing field. We are passionately committed to free trade, but it must be fair,” he said.

The WTO has ruled against US steel tariffs in the past.

In 2003, the organisation ruled against the Bush Administration’s attempt to impose higher tariffs on steel after a joint case was lodged by nations including Japan, China, Taiwan, Switzerland and Brazil.

President George Bush only withdrew the tariffs after the initially refusing when the European Union threatened to impose tariffs on US products made in marginal states.

Originally published as Malcolm Turnbull rules out action against Donald Trump on US tariffs amid trade war concerns