Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed confidence that Australia will avoid adverse trade tariffs when Donald Trump begins his second term as President of the United States ABC News reports.
Trump’s inauguration, set for Tuesday morning AEDT, brings a wave of uncertainty as his administration has a history of bold executive actions. During his first term, Trump withdrew the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership within days, citing benefits for American workers. Over four years, he issued 220 executive orders.
Looking ahead, Trump has proposed several aggressive trade measures, including a 60% tariff on Chinese-made products and a 25% tariff on goods from neighboring Canada and Mexico, aimed at addressing border concerns. Additionally, he has floated a 10% tariff on imports from most nations to boost revenue, revive domestic manufacturing, and strengthen American businesses.
“We’ll impose new tariffs so that the products on our shelves will once again be stamped with those beautiful words, ‘Made in the USA,'” Trump stated at a recent press conference.
Despite these plans, Mr. Albanese told ABC’s 7.30 program that Trump assured him the US-Australia relationship would remain “perfect.”
“I made the point that the United States has enjoyed a trade surplus with Australia since the Truman presidency,” Mr. Albanese said, standing in the prime minister’s courtyard with a confident smile.
“It has been there for a long time. The United States is a major investor here in Australia, and the relationship between our two economies is so important. I’m very confident that we will work these issues through because they’re in the interests of both Australia and the United States. He said that we will have a ‘perfect relationship.'”
When pressed about whether he received explicit assurances from Trump regarding tariffs on Australian exports, Mr. Albanese admitted he had not. However, he expressed optimism that Australia’s strong ties with the US would ensure continued goodwill.
“I expect that the relationship between Australia and the United States will remain strong,” he said.
“We are both Five Eyes partners, we have the US Alliance, and we have the free trade agreement. Also, Australia plays a critical role in this region through our engagement with ASEAN and the Pacific Island Forum. Australia is a middle power, but we’re an important part of this region.”
As Trump’s second presidency begins, the Australian government appears determined to maintain a strong partnership, navigating potential challenges with diplomacy and pragmatism.