Donald Trump’s tariffs won’t affect SA’s Whyalla steelworks rebound, Premier says

News Donald Trump has ruled out a tariff exemption for Australian steel exports has sent shockwaves around Australia. So how does it affect SA’s embattled Whyalla steelworks?

• Trump rules out Aus tariff exemption
• How trade war will impact Australia

Premier Peter Malinauskas is keeping Greg Norman – golfing legend and friend of the US President – informed about the future of the Whyalla steelworks and hasn’t ruled out enlisting his help over tariffs.

While the Premier told FIVEAA Radio that the Whyalla steelworks would not be affected by President Donald Trump’s new steel tariffs – as it does not export to the United States – he spoke to Mr Norman “as recently as yesterday” about its future.

“Greg and I have spoken on more than one occasion including as recently as yesterday about Whyalla Steelworks more broadly, he understands the importance of the issue,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“Greg’s known for his golf but I think other people would be familiar that he’s an extremely astute and well connected businessman ... and he and I have spoken on more than one occasion about steel in the context of Whyalla.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas in Whyalla in early March. Picture: Brett Hartwig

His comments followed the White House confirming Australia would not be granted an exemption from the US government's 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports, to be enacted from Thursday.

When asked about potentially enlisting Mr Norman as an ambassador or advocate on the issue, Mr Malinauskas said “not necessarily in any official capacity but he’s certainly engaged on the subject matter and has been good to us in opening up doors”.

Mr Malinauskas said the news Australia would not be exempt from tariffs on steel and aluminium exported to the US would have little impact on the Whyalla steelworks.

“The good news … for South Australia’s interests, in regards to Whyalla, is that there is no steel that comes out of Whyalla that ends up in the United States, either directly or through the principal customer of Whyalla, Infrabuild,” he told morning radio.

“So we don’t think there’s any implications for the steelworks, or any implications for a potential sale out of the administration process, which is good news.”

However, Mr Malinauskas had concerns about the impact of tariffs on the broader Australian economy and the nation’s long-term free-trade agreement with the United States.

“It goes right back to the Howard years and obviously the announcement of that 25 per cent tariff on Australian steel and aluminium is, you know, fundamentally at odds with the very agreement that the United States government signed up to,” he said.

“So the implications of these types of or the unravelling of agreements that were signed into, I think is disconcerting.”

Earlier this morning, US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Mr Trump had received a request by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for an exemption but “considered against it”.

Asked why Australia would not be exempt, as it was under the previous Trump administration, Ms Leavitt said: “American-first steel. And if they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here.”

Last month, GFG Alliance’s subsidiary OneSteel Manufacturing saw its Whyalla steelworks and mine plunged into administration as the state government acted on debts to SA Water and in mining royalties.

Legislation was rushed through parliament and KordaMentha was appointed as administrator.

Originally published as Donald Trump’s tariffs won’t affect SA’s Whyalla steelworks rebound, Premier says