The Conversation
11 Mar 2025, 23:19 GMT+10
Australia has failed to win an exemption from Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on aluminium and steel, but the government has vowed to fight on for a carve out.
The White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, told Australian media in Washington "there will be no exemptions" from the tariffs, which come into effect imminently. Pressed on why, she said "America First steel".
She said, "If they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here".
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government would continue to lobby for an exemption. He pointed out it had taken the Coalition government many months to win a carve out from tariffs under the first Trump administration.
"Tariffs don't make any sense, it's an act of kind of economic self harm. We'll be able to find other markets for our steel and our aluminium and we have been diversifying those markets. But we're obviously really disappointed with this.
"I would say, though, we'll keep advocating to the United States on this issue. Last time around it was nine months before we got an exemption in relation to steel and aluminium out of the Trump administration in its first term. So, we'll keep pressing the case, we'll keep diversifying our own trade. But look, there's no hiding this, we're really disappointed with this decision."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the decision was "unprovoked and unjustified".
Opposition deputy leader Sussan Ley said the government "just hasn't done enough".
"All of the other leaders of the Quad and AUKUS, Japan, India, the UK, travelled to the US, and they had face-to-face meetings, and they did what they needed to do. They advocated fiercely in their country's interests, but this prime minister has been nowhere to be seen."
But given no exemptions are being provided, a personal trip by the Albanese would likely have had little effect. The PM made the case for an exemption to the president in a call some weeks ago. In that conversation Trump indicated he would consider Australia's case, but the government quickly became pessimistic about the administration giving it a special deal.
BlueScope, while expressing disappointment, saw one silver lining. "BlueScope produces more than 3 million tonnes of steel per annum at its NorthStar BlueScope plant in Delta, Ohio. As the US tariffs come into effect the company expects to see the positive impact from an improvement in steel prices."
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull this week predicted Trump would shy away from exemptions this time around. While some observers said Turnbull's broad attack on Trump, whom he called a bully, could work against Australia's lobbying, it almost certainly was irrelevant, given all representations were rejected.
The Australian concern is less the direct impact of the tariffs - our exports of steel and aluminium to the US are limited - but the fallout from an international trade war that could be sparked by Trump's policies.
Get a daily dose of Australian Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Australian Herald.
More InformationSANTA FE: New Mexico: A New Mexico resident who died recently tested positive for measles, marking the state's first measles-related...
MANILA, Philippines - In a dramatic move, the International Criminal Court on Tuesday arrested the former president of the Philippines,...
BRUSSELS, Belgium: The United States has withdrawn from the board of a U.N. climate fund designed to help poor countries deal with...
NEW YORK CITY, New York - A student of Columbia University, arrested for protesting against the carnage in Gaza, has been moved out...
LOS ANGELES, California: Los Angeles County, Pasadena, and other public agencies have sued Edison International and its subsidiary,...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, former President Donald Trump is planning to sign an order to shut...
BATHURST, NSW, Central West, Australia - A man who has been disqualified from holding a driver's license for the next ninety-two years...
MELBOURNE, Australia: An Australian warship rescued Lithuanian adventurer Aurimas Mockus this week after he became stranded in the...
New Delhi [India], March 12 (ANI): Former West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards showered praise on India's pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah,...
Australia has failed to win an exemption from Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on aluminium and steel, but the government has vowed to fight...
(250311) -- LIVIGNO, March 11, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Horishima Ikuma (C) of Japan, silver medalist Mikael Kingsbury (L) of...
CHONGQING, March 11, 2025 (Xinhua) --The WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 table tennis tournament kicked off today in Chonqing, southwest...