PM moves to ward off US tariff threat

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says an exemption is under consideration for Australia after a phone call with United States President Donald Trump over planned 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Aluminium is Australia’s top manufacturing export and about 10 per cent of the nation's 1.5 million tonnes of aluminium production goes to the US each year, according to figures from the Australian Aluminium Council. The industry directly employs more than 21,000 people, with Gladstone among the key manufacturing centres. Mr Albanese this morning reported having a positive conversation with Mr Trump. "I presented Australia's case for an exemption," he told reporters. "We agreed on wording to say publicly, which is that the US President agreed that an exemption was under consideration in the interests of both of our countries." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. When news of the tariffs broke, the Australian Aluminium Council said it was working to understand the impact of any potential tariffs on Australia's aluminium trade. 'The council and its members will continue working with the Australian government and its representatives on this important issue,' it said on social media. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable said the news that the US administration was considering a uniform 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports was a stark reminder of the volatility of global trade. "While these tariffs are not yet final, any such move would have significant implications for Australian industry," she said. Related: Aluminium industry welcomes green production credit "The Minerals Council of Australia has been working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian agencies in Washington to assess the risks and implications of these tariffs. "Steel and aluminium are not just key to industrial production but are critical to defence, technology, and advanced manufacturing supply chains. "Aluminium production, in particular, plays a vital role in securing minerals like gallium and germanium, which are essential to power modern technologies. "These proposed tariffs set a concerning precedent. Action is needed now to ensure that trade restrictions do not expand to critical minerals and other resources that are vital to Australia's economic future and global supply chains." You may also like: https://industryqld.com.au/critical-minerals-call-to-protect-aluminium-industry/

PM moves to ward off US tariff threat

Industry Queensland

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