What you said about Donald Trump’s tariff ‘Liberation Day’

US President Donald Trump has announced the full scope of his “Liberation Day” program – and readers are joining the conversation. HAVE YOUR SAY

US President Donald Trump has announced the full scope of his aggressive tariff program, dubbed “Liberation Day” – and the world is now bracing for what comes next.

Mr Trump said he is imposing a minimum tariff rate of 10 per cent on all countries – but for most it will be much higher.

He has set the level at half of what he claims other countries are “charging” the United States.

US President Donald Trump has said ‘tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary’. Picture: Saul Loeb / AFP

As outlined by News Corp’s explainer on the whole issue, the tariffs could have a drastic impact on the world’s economy – including fears for manufacturers like Toyota.

Even Independent senator Jacqui Lambie slammed both the Coalition and Labor for having no “backbone” in dealing with US President Trump and his upcoming tariffs.

Readers piled into the debate, some claiming Mr Trump has lost the plot.

However many insisted he was merely looking out for America’s interests.

Some suggested Australia must fight fire with fire, while others were unsure if there would be any real impact.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Makes sense

Lianne

Put it on beef. I would be happy for us here in Australia to be getting better cuts of meat instead of it being all sent overseas and sold for less than we can buy it here.

Wendy

Albo should be happy with Trump as it might allow him to spruke his future made in Australia policy. Pity his energy policy wasn’t causing power prices increases making manufacturing here extremely expensive.

The Only Oracle

Maybe if the Trump haters could see past their hatred they might realise that Trump’s tariffs are fair enough. Trump is looking after his country, no-one else’s.

Wallace

The reality is it probably won’t have much for an impact. Let’s say he puts a tariff on our fruit. Everyone else also has that tariff.

Peter

Bring on the tariffs. Australian producers are taking advantage of us by exporting their best Produce, which leaves us with average quality and overpriced products.

Biafra & NoPrisoners – OneSickPair

Thank you Trump! We need another smack on the other side of the face – to wake us up. But then, maybe not still … Aussie slumber is very Very Strongly. Potent!

Mea Sententia

Albanese just looks like a fool in comparison to Trump. Like it or not, Trump is making real changes to get Americans into work in local manufacturing jobs.

Jerome

The hysteria surrounding an elected politician actually is doing what he campaigned on.

The ability of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton to respond to Mr Trump’s tariffs will likely be a key part of the federal election. Picture: NewsWire/ Jason Edwards

What a mess

Dean

I love how many are protecting or downplaying these tariff’s from Trump. Imagine if Biden has brought these in, there would be a total outcry.

Just Me

And the big losers will be the American people. Does trump think American manufacturing and new factories will magically reopen,no way known,just like Australia the people won’t work in them,and wages will be too high. Wait till their major trading partners hit back,China especially,and other countries which supply them with cheap clothing,footwear,and everything else they buy in Walmart.

Wk

USA = Clown show

Danny

As an Australian manufacturer (yes we still exist) who makes 50% of our revenue from sales to America, US tariffs on our products will mean direct job losses in Australia.

IanM

This economically illiterate president has no idea of the damage he will do to his constituents when the EU, Canada, China, Japan and others retaliate.

Alan

They voted for this idiot so the yanks only have 3 years and nine months left of his idiotic administration 25% increase on all imports that’s gotta hurt. You can’t restart heavy industries overnight in the meantime OUCH for the USA consumers

All cars and auto parts imported into the US will face tariffs of 25 per cent. Picture: AFP

Boycott the US

John

The best of our beef is exported. Perhaps we might be able to afford it here now.

Steve

I’m shocked by the comments here criticising Australia’s beef trade rules. The beef ban is due to US beef having mad cow disease - it’s to protect our beef industry, not penalise America.

Vic

Why don’t we all just not buy anything American? In particular boycott “Mad Elon’s” Teslas

John

Trump wants to be free the US from relying on foreign goods, simple pre-existing countries who export to America now should stop exporting their products to America.

B

If anybody does not want to trade with America then don’t. No one is forced to trade at all.

Nigel

They aren’t our friends. Time to shop elsewhere.

Stock markets globally fell in response to tariff fears. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Trump has lost the plot

Bro

The 10% tariff on our products are the same as the GST rate. So this is not nearly as bad as the 200% and blanket import bans on our wine and beef etc, set by China. We just need to find other markets and in the long game it will advantage us.

Annie

The US will still buy our beef at a higher wholesale price and slightly higher shelf price.

A Perspective

Could be longer than this presidential term. Hitler dismantled democracy in 53 days.

Emma

What Trump says and what he does are diametrically opposed. He is introducing retaliatory tariffs against Australia which the US has a free trade agreement with!

Perry

I can’t help that feeling that Trump has fractured the world & eroded the respect we once had for the US

John

If Trump thinks the likes of Apple will bring back manufacturing iPhones to the USA he is dreaming. All this will do is make them 30% dearer. A world record is close.

Originally published as What you said about Donald Trump’s tariff ‘Liberation Day’