Jim Chalmers heading to Washington amid tariff fallout

Jim Chalmers is heading to the US as Canberra finds itself increasingly at odds with the Trump administration’s worldview.

Jim Chalmers says he will raise the Trump administration’s brutal blanket tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium when he meets his new US counterpart in Washington next week.

The relationship between Canberra and Donald Trump’s White House has gotten off to a rocky start, with both the Albanese government and the Coalition making clear they do not share many of the US President’s foreign policy positions.

The move to slap levies of 25 per cent on all steel and aluminium imports “without exemptions or exceptions”, despite saying an Australian carve out was “under consideration”, has been a particularly sore spot.

Before flying out on Sunday, Mr Chalmers said he did not expect the tariff issue to be settled during his trip.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will raise tariffs when he visits Washington next week. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Trade and tariffs will be part of the conversation, but not the whole conversation,” he told the ABC.

“That is an ongoing discussion that we’re having with our American counterparts. I don’t expect we will conclude those discussions on steel and aluminium while I’m in DC.

“I am not going to pre-empt the outcome of those conversations, nor do I expect those discussions will necessarily be concluded this week, to be upfront with you.”

He added that “whether it’s the flow of capital or critical minerals and trade, there’s lots to talk about”.

Mr Chalmers will meet his new US counterpart Scott Bessent (left). Picture: NewsWire / Jim Watson / AFP

Mr Trump’s backflip on Ukraine has also raised eyebrows in Western capitals.

Earlier this week, he echoed Kremlin talking points and called Volodomyr Zelensky a “dictator”, falsely accusing the Ukrainian President of starting the war with Russia.

Australia has given north of $1.5bn-worth of aid to Ukraine to help it fight back against invading Russian forces.

Mr Chalmers reaffirmed the Albanese government’s backing for Kyiv.

“The Australian position is very clear and it’s been really consistent,” the Treasurer said.

“The war started because of Russian aggression.

“President Zelensky is the elected leader of a courageous country.

“Our support for Ukraine has been unwavering and that will continue. We’ve said that Ukraine obviously needs to be part of any peace discussions.”

Originally published as Jim Chalmers heading to Washington amid tariff fallout