Anthony Albanese says Australia won’t negotiate on three key issues for tariffs US has identified

The Prime Minister says there are several issues of concern the US has raised that could attract tariffs on President Donald Trump’s “Day of Liberation” list.

The Prime Minister says Australia won’t negotiate on three key issues the US has identified as problems as the Trump administration prepares to release its “Liberation Day” tariffs update this week.

The US government has published the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, which outline a series of gripes it has with the trade policies of other countries.

Among those are Australia’s restrictions on imports of American beef, pork and poultry; our biosecurity laws handling fruit imports; elements of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; and the News Media Bargaining Code.

Anthony Albanese said he had seen the report and there were “at least three things that are of concern to Australia” – the News Bargaining Code, pharmaceuticals and biosecurity.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was grilled on the US trade tariffs during his campaign stop in Adelaide on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire/ Jason Edwards

“Those issues are not up for negotiation with the Australian government,” Mr Albanese said.

“We defend Australia’s interests. The idea that we would weaken biosecurity laws is really, as my mum would say, cutting off your nose to spite your face.

“We’ll negotiate sensibly, but we won’t undermine the biosecurity system.

Reporters at Mr Albanese’s election campaign press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday morning repeatedly grilled the PM on his government’s stance towards the United States.

US Donald Trump is expected to reveal his next tranche of tariffs on foreign countries on Thursday Australian time. (Photo by Saul Loeb / AFP)

Of specific concern was trade policy, ahead of President Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” on April 2 US time when his administration is expected to impose sweeping tariffs on nations across much of the world, including Australia.

Mr Albanese said his government had been in “ongoing” discussion with the US administration,

“These are issues that we have been discussing with the US administration. Those discussions are ongoing. I want to see a constructive outcome.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton agreed the PBS, biodiversity requirements on beef, poultry and pork imports and the News Media Bargaining Code should be off the table as Australia seeks an exemption on a tariff carve outs from the United States.

“I agree with the prime minister’s permission and I will stand up for our country’s interests everyday if I’m given the honour of being prime minister of this country,” he said.

“I’m not going to compromise in relations to issues of national significance to us.”

Mr Dutton said Donald Trump would stand up for the US, but backed Mr Albanese on the non-negotiable items for Australia. Picture: NewsWire/Thomas Lisson

However Mr Dutton could not be moved to blame President Trump if Australia is slammed with tariffs.

“The President of the United States is going to stand up for America, I’m going to stand up for Australia,” he said.

He then took a shot at Mr Albanese for not being able to back the interests of Australians.

Mr Albanese said he had “a constructive relationship” with President Trump despite once saying Mr Trump “scares the s***” out of him.

“I have a constructive relationship with the President, and I’ve had two very constructive phone calls with him,” Mr Albanese replied.

He also declined to directly answer a question on whether his request for a third phone call had been agreed to.

The issue of the Trump tariffs is expected to dominate the campaign trail during the next couple of days. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

“What we’re doing is – the US is putting forward a position; we’re putting forward a position,” the PM said.

“What happens is that phone calls come together when things are agreed.”

He was subsequently asked about poll figures that show Australian voters trust Peter Dutton more than him to deal with Mr Trump.

“I’m not a commentator. I’ll leave all that to you,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese also said Australia would follow its own lead for foreign policy,

“I put to him that the United States has an interest in the relationship with Australia, because it has two-for-one – historically, twice as many exports from the United States into Australia than the reverse.

“I indicated how much investment, potentially to the tune of $500bn, Australian superannuation funds could make in the United States in the coming years.

“The President is fully aware of our position, and fully aware of my position.”