Former PM Tony Abbott lets fly about tariffs and net zero policies
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has made a dig at US President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war as he talked tariffs at a prestigious conservative conference in London.
World
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Former prime minister Tony Abbott has declared a “tariff is a tax” resulting in people paying more for goods, as he pushed for the “insane” net zero and diversity policies to be abolished.
Speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London, Mr Abbott told the audience if economies cannot compete with their international rivals imposing tariffs is not the answer.
“If British steel cannot compete with foreign steel, the answer is not to throw a massive tariff on foreign steel,” he told the audience.
“The answer is to make it easier to make steel in Britain and abolish the insane net zero policy, abolish the insane diversity, inclusion and equity policy that means you can’t pick a workforce on its merits”.
Concerns continue to grow around the world after US president Donald Trump he would impose tariffs on many countries around the world including putting a 25 per cent tariff on US imports of steel and aluminium.
Mr Abbott also highlighted to the audience at the conservative conference of the damage tariffs cause to consumers’ hip pockets.
“What protects us against our strategic partners is not making our own consumers pay more,” he said.
“It’s not protecting inefficient industries at home, (what is needed) is a strong military and a strong alliance with a dynamic economy.”
Mr Abbott did three free trade deals with Australia’s biggest trading partners including Britain, India when he was in government.
He spoke on a panel moderated by Sky News Australia host Peta Credlin alongside panellists including the UK’s longstanding Conservative Party minister Michael Gove.
Earlier in the day Reform UK leader Nigel Farage addressed the conference and attacked the UK’s Conservative Party and said it is “not on the right”.
He also criticised net zero policy labelling it a “complete and utter disgrace”.
Reform UK, a right-leaning political party, is continuing to increase in the popularity stakes and a recent poll found voters believed it is more trustworthy than the Tories.
On Wednesday local time former federal treasurer Peter Costello is scheduled to address the conference.
Originally published as Former PM Tony Abbott lets fly about tariffs and net zero policies