Anthony Albanese has toughened his language against the US president. Anyone would think there is an election campaign on and that maybe, just maybe, our leaders have worked out that the public doesn’t want Australia kowtowing to the US. But Australia will not be imposing reciprocal tariffs (which would be paid for by Australian consumers)

Albanese:

The unilateral action that the Trump Administration has taken today against every nation in the world does not come as a surprise.

For Australia, these tariffs are not unexpected, but let me be clear – they are totally unwarranted. President Trump referred to reciprocal tariffs.

A reciprocal tariff would be zero, not 10%.

The administration’s tariffs have no basis in logic and they go against the bases of our two nation’s partnership. This is not the act of a friend.

Today’s decision will add to uncertainty in the global economy and it will push up costs for American households. It is the American people who will pay the biggest price for these unjustified tariffs. This is why our Government will not be seeking to impose reciprocal tariffs. We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth.

We will stand up for Australia. We will continue to make the strongest case for these unjustified tariffs to be removed from our exporters.

Our existing Free Trade Agreement with the United States contains dispute resolution mechanisms. We want to resolve these – this issue without resorting to using these. As we do support continued constructive engagement with our friends in the United States.