Pressure on Albo in Trump meeting

Monday 9 June 2025

Jessica Wang

The Courier Mail

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Anthony Albanese is under increasing pressure to secure a tariff carve-out when he meets with US President Donald Trump this weekend. Report P5

Pressure on Albo in Trump meeting Will he secure UK-style deal

Anthony Albanese is under increasing pressure to secure a tariff carve-out when he meets with US President Donald Trump on the weekend, with the Coalition claiming there was no reason Australia couldn't -secure exemptions like the UK.

Trade Minister Don Farrell said he had the "greatest confidence" in the Prime Minister ahead of the planned meeting with Mr Trump, particularly after a "friendly" discussion -between him and US counterpart Jamieson Greer.

The trade barriers on Australian imports to the US currently include a 50 per cent levy on steel, a 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and a blanket 10 per cent on other goods.

Figures indicate Australia buys about $70bn worth of goods from the US, compared with the $30bn of exports Australia sells to America.

Senator Farrell maintained the tariffs were "simply unjustified", highlighting Australia's trade surplus with the US.

"It wasn't a difficult discussion in terms of the relationship between us, and I am certainly of the view that we have the opportunity to continue to talk with Jamieson and Commerce Secretary (Howard) Lutnick to put our case across," he said.

Senator Farrell said the decision will be ultimately made by Donald Trump, putting increased pressure on Mr Albanese's upcoming meeting with the US President.

Coalition finance spokesman James Paterson said there was "no reason" Australia should not be able to secure an exemption, given UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer negotiated a carve-out for its steel imports by scrapping -tariffs on some US beef and ethanol.

Sir Starmer "proves that it is possible to get an exemption", Senator Paterson said.

"It is not an impossible task. And what we ask and expect of the Prime Minister is that he put our best foot forward, that he makes those arguments," he said. "I think that would have been much easier if, like Keir Starmer, the Prime Minster had made the effort to go and meet the President earlier than he has now."

While Mr Albanese maintained that he won't compromise on Australia's biosecurity, he hinted Australia could review current settings that don't allow the US to import beef which originates from Canada and Mexico.

Mr Albanese has also ruled out changes to the Pharmaceuticals Benefit Scheme, News Media Bargaining code and incoming ban on social media for under-16s, while highlighting Australia's critical minerals industry as a potential bargaining chip.

Senator Farrell also said he was "confident" Australia could secure a new trade deal with the European Union, with EU President Ursula von der Leyen expected to visit Australia in July or August.

"We've got lots of things that we can sell to the to the Europeans. I believe now that there's an appetite to reach an agreement on both sides," Senator Farrell said. "The world has changed, those countries that believe in free and fair trade have to work together."