Thanks to Peter Hartcher for pointing out some facts (“Trump has done us a favour by showing where we stand during peacetime”, March 13). Firstly, that Australian steel and aluminium affect only 0.2 per cent of national exports; secondly, that whacking on “retaliatory tariffs” only causes “self-harm” such as more inflation; and thirdly, the ANZUS treaty only obliges us to “consult” with each other in the event of either side being attacked. Let us hope that cooler heads will prevail. The last time anyone played “tough” it resulted in heavy and expensive restrictions on our exports to China – are you listening Mr Dutton? Acting “tough” might appeal to an easily frightened populace but usually only aggravates a bad situation, gaining cheap votes at the expense of quiet diplomacy. John MacKay, Asquith
A reader questions why Australia, a major producer, has such low gold reserves. Credit: Trevor Collens
I have a question for Peter Hartcher or Steven Bartholomeusz. Why do we hold the lowest gold reserves of any first-world country, yet we are the world’s second-largest gold producer? We hold most of our reserves in US dollars, which are losing value by the day while gold is on a tear. Are the Reserve Bank and the treasurer asleep at the wheel? Graham Pitkethley, Holroyd
There’s plenty of upside for Australia in Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs. Firstly, it gives us the opportunity to rethink aspects of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement that don’t suit us. If the US is going to rip parts of it up, let’s do the same thing. Secondly, the attack on aluminium, in particular, gives us the chance to close the NSW and Victorian aluminium smelters altogether. They’re majority foreign-owned, don’t employ that many people and use about 10 per cent of the electricity supply in each state. Bingo! Energy shortages solved, greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and large sites with excellent access to the power grid freed up. Thanks, Donald. Nick Murray, Potts Point
Anyone blaming Anthony Albanese for the tariffs imposed on Australian steel and aluminium is putting their blame on the wrong person (“PM blasts Trump as tariffs hit poll race”, March 13). Donald Trump is the only one to blame. You cannot trust a man who changes his mind with the wind, is narcissistic in the extreme and relies on another narcissist – Elon Musk. Trump has not been president for long, yet has already alienated many close allies with all his daft decisions. Kaye Leitch, Austins Ferry (Tas)
Peter Dutton claims he would have done better than our “weak” prime minister in dealing with Donald Trump, yet his own party’s former ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodonis, confirmed that nothing would have changed the tariff outcome. It was smart of Anthony Albanese to avoid going cap in hand to Trump, only to be rebuffed like the Japanese prime minister and all the others who tried the same approach. Dutton would have been treated the same way, but he can’t help himself – he has to keep up the “Mr Negative” approach. Ian Ferrier, Long Jetty
So a party with virtually nothing to offer apart from rorts, budget deficits and inaction on climate change berates the prime minister for not travelling to the White House. I guess this means that the title “Airbus Albo” is past its use-by date. David Atherfold, Avalon Beach
Peter Dutton should have no difficulties in getting in contact with President Trump: he just has to ask his good mate Gina to put in a good word for him to gain access. Ian Falconer, Turramurra
Boycotting American cars is one way of responding to Trump’s tariff war.Credit: Bloomberg
Australia will be worse off if Peter Dutton is put in the Lodge. Like his predecessors, he is only interested in criticising the government but has no concrete policies. By accusing the prime minister of weakness for not contacting Trump, he shows he has no idea what type of man Trump is. Albanese has, in fact, tried to contact Trump, but he will not listen to anyone, including Dutton. Mainak Gupta, Croydon Park
In light of Trump’s tariffs and the reluctance of our government to counteract in any meaningful way, I would suggest that every individual Australian should take action against the US by refusing to buy any US-made goods. I understand that Canada has implemented this strategy. However, the difficulty for buyers arises in knowing exactly which companies and multinationals are involved. An internet-based list of US companies and their products would be really helpful in this regard. I believe there are many alternatives to US products like alcohol, soft drinks and food in general, as well as the obvious things like motor vehicles and even petrol. I would also include Amazon and any other US-owned internet marketing companies. Individually these actions may not amount to much, but collectively they would be considerable. Tony Hughes, Varsity Lakes (Qld)
Anthony Albanese is a bit late to the party. I’ve refused to buy anything made in the USA for the past 30 years. I also choose very carefully when buying products made in China after their little tariff crack at Australia on barley, wine, lobsters and beef. If all Australians did what Canada, Mexico and Europe are doing and buy local, maybe, just maybe, America might wake up to how destructive their president really is. Graham McWhirter, Shell Cove
As the organiser of the only strike in the Australian space tracking stations in 1967 during the Apollo program, may I suggest if we want to get Trump’s attention we only need to shut down Pine Gap for a day. Stop all external power supplies, block all communications in or out, withdraw Australian labour only for a day or two, and the US will be quickly on the phone to discuss the problem. We had the American ambassador knocking on our government’s door within 12 hours. Our beef was the payment our technicians were getting. Turns out the Department of Supply (old school) was creaming off half the money the Americans were paying and not passing it on. Problem solved. Richard Kirby, Campbelltown
Mugs for subs
According to Matthew Knott, there is no “clawback” provision to refund Australia’s payments should the US renege on its promise to provide submarines (“Admiral’s call for AUKUS rethink amid Trump chaos”, March 13). The US can easily renege if the president decides that his country needs them more, for the most spurious of reasons. This sounds like the sort of extortionate deal that Trump loves: sucker “allies” pay for new weapons, then we keep them and no refunds. We’ve just handed over the first payment of $795 million, which we’ll never see again. Perhaps it’s time to talk to the UK, the other unfortunate signatory of the deal, about cancelling it. Isabel Robinson, Alexandria
All the US president has to do is say that selling the subs to Australia “will degrade US undersea capability” and no subs for us. If there is no arrangement for refunding any payments. Trump must see us as the ultimate idiots. He will happily take the money and not deliver anything. If that isn’t obvious to our leaders, then we are the mugs in this. It’s not as if we are talking about peanuts. Kate Baker, Bensville
US President Donald Trump and a Virginia-class nuclear submarine.Credit: AP, Getty Images
Just as Trump didn’t know what AUKUS was, I bet he’s never heard of Pine Gap or North West Cape. These are our trump cards, but, as Malcolm would say, we are too pusillanimous to play them. Peter Bulkeley, Parrearra (Qld)
What’s going to happen to that great idea of Australia keeping its crude oil stockpile in the USA made by the Morrison government? It was roundly ridiculed at the time, but not now seems outrageous. Trump wouldn’t spare us a litre. Stephen Woods, Artarmon
We are clearly entering a period of change in our relations with the USA. In light of this, should we be nervous about the fact that former energy minister Angus Taylor signed a deal for emergency fuel reserves to be held on Australia’s behalf in the USA? Norman Carter, Roseville Chase
Bogus hate crimes
From across your southern border, your report (“Premier was quick to call caravan plot ‘terror’”, March 13) luridly highlights the politically corrupted antisemitism reality in NSW. “Terrorism!” said Premier Minns, jumping the caravan-bomb gun and “risking stoking more fear”. He succeeded, then used that “rising tide of racial hatred” to flag “new and stronger” antisemitism laws. Never mind that, as you report, this week the federal police revealed that the caravan was just one of 15 “antisemitic attacks” across Sydney that were criminal con jobs, not genuine hate crimes. This pattern of politicians stoking, then feeding off, community hysteria is disgusting enough. Even more reprehensible is the implied association of antisemitism with criticism of Israel killing Palestinians, who are the real losers from Minns’ clumsy and cynical behaviour. Grow some integrity, premier. Ken Blackman, Inverloch (Vic)
Our own Trump-lite
Peter Dutton said “you should look at what politicians do as much, or probably more, than what they say” (“Despite forceful WFH agenda, Dutton makes pledge to women voters”, 13 March). Well, what has Albanese done? Quite a lot, actually, although you might struggle to notice it. What did Dutton and the Coalition do the last time they were in government? Not very much, although Peter Dutton did a good job of looking tough, which you’d expect from a Queensland ex-cop. Most importantly, what will the Coalition do in the future if elected? Much has been written about the emptiness of the Coalition policy cupboard so far. But it’s not totally empty. What he says he will do, is essentially Trump-lite – sacking public servants, making them work in the office and eliminating DEI – anything that might be beneficial, particularly for women. David Rush, Lawson
The opposition leader proposes that all public servants should return to the office. The public service responded to the COVID-19 work-from-home phenomenon by cutting down its unused office space and implementing hot-desking, like many commercial businesses. I know one federal agency that has more than 330 full-time employees, but with office space that contains about 135 desks. So the government would presumably incur significant expense hiring additional space, to force people into doing something they don’t want to do. I am not sure how the proposed office of government efficiency would react to this. Ian Murray-Jones, Randwick
So – 36,000 public service jobs to be cut under Peter Dutton. That means 36,000 families without their anticipated income – 36,000 families under increased cost-of-living stress. How does that help Australia, Mr Dutton? Sandra Willis, Beecroft
Race for profit
Dear Mr McGauran – contrary to your belief that Randwick is the only venue worth upgrading, many patrons of both Rosehill and Warwick Farm would disagree (“New plan offers Rosehill to Minns – for $5b”, March 13). The lack of upgrading at these two courses has led to fewer people going to the races. The facilities have slowly been eroded by your grandiose plans for Randwick. Trainer Chris Waller is right when he talks about “fanciful ideas”. The grassroots punter comes from the workers and the older generation, who don’t want to spend half the day travelling to Randwick. Racing is not just for elitists, and they certainly don’t need a glorified hotel overlooking the straight. We’d like better facilities at tracks that for a long time were family and pensioner friendly, not just member exclusive. Victoria Calderan, Fairfield
Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, with Parramatta in the background, has been earmarked to be transformed into a “mini-city”.Credit: Nick Moir
Tesla buddies
Donald Trump buying an electric vehicle to put in his garage is a bit like the Pope buying a pitchfork to decorate the Vatican (“Trump buys a Tesla to show support for Elon Musk,” March 12). The president hates everything that threatens the dominance of fossil fuels, both in the United States and around the world. After all, he campaigned on the slogan “drill, baby, drill’, withdrew America from the Paris climate agreement and has now banned government departments from using the terms “climate change” and “global warming”. The only reason he’s bought an EV is as a sop to his hatchet-man, Elon Musk. No one is fooled by this gesture, except perhaps the Tesla CEO himself. Ken Enderby, Concord
Geoffrey Watson asks if he is an evil person because of his growing antipathy towards Tesla drivers (Letters, March 13). His decision to break the road rules when merging suggests he ascribes to the “Watson First” version of MAGA. Many of us, even Tesla drivers, are concerned about the rising lack of empathy in the world. Of course, I assume Geoffrey drives an EV, has solar panels and a battery. Otherwise, people in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones. Lester Grace, Stockton
Question of charity
The allegations made about Narang Bir-rong must be independently investigated (Lavish parties, lewd behaviour: Charity boss accused over ‘highly sexualised workplace’, March 13). I do not understand what it might mean that Narang Bir-rong received $9.5 million in state government grants in the year 2023-2024 and spent $7.5 million on staff benefits for its 56 employees. This should be impossible … is there an error? I think that even the relatively smaller claim that about $35,000 is spent annually on staff events (for 50 employees) is unimaginable. If the board believes that such alleged spending and the alleged behaviours are appropriate, then, on the face of it, I suggest that there are major problems with this organisation. If the claims are true, then I can understand the shock and distress that those who have spoken out must be feeling. Nell Knight, Avoca Beach
Paddy’s charm lies in its chaos: the lively vendors, the scent of fresh produce, the thrill of a bargain.
Don’t ruin Paddy’s
I am outraged by the planned refurbishment of Paddy’s Market. This is not just a market—it is history, culture and the beating heart of Sydney. Its charm lies in its chaos: the lively vendors, the scent of fresh produce, the thrill of a bargain. And now it will be stripped of its soul and replaced with another sterile, corporate-friendly “revitalisation”. Sydney is becoming unrecognisable. We keep losing the places that make this city special, all in the name of so-called “progress”. Paddy’s Market does not need a modern makeover – it needs to be left alone. People don’t want another polished retail space – they want authenticity. They want the real Sydney. Clover Moore, if you go through with this, you will be remembered as the mayor who helped erase yet another piece of our city’s soul. Enough is enough. Listen to the people, not the developers. Stop this before it’s too late. Rob Weston, Jamberoo
Hands off wombats
That foolish US influencer who took a baby wombat from its mother should rather test her nature skills back home by making off with a mama grizzly bear’s cub. We’ll see how far she gets. (“American influencer suffers backlash after viral video,” March 13). Anthea Doe, Russell Lea
Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested for crimes against humanity.Credit: Cathy Wilcox
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