US Accuses Australia of Breaking ‘Verbal Commitment’ on Aluminium Exports Amid Trump’s Tariff Review
Donald Trump has accused Australia of failing to honour a verbal commitment on aluminium exports, issuing a new executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports. While acknowledging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a “fine man,” Trump’s proclamation highlights concerns over surging aluminium exports from Australia.
According to the order, US aluminium imports from important trading partners, including Australia, increased by 14% in 2024 compared to the 2015-2017 average. Specifically, primary aluminium imports from Australia increased by 103 percent during the same period.
“Australia has disregarded its verbal commitment to voluntarily restrain its aluminum exports to a reasonable level,” the proclamation states.
Despite Trump’s firm stance that there would be “no exceptions or exemptions,” the Albanese government remains hopeful of negotiating a better deal.
Albanese Pushes for Exemption
Prime Minister Albanese accepted he had a “constructive” meeting with Trump about a possible exemption for Australia. Albanese stated that an exemption remains “under consideration.”
“My government has a record of getting things done in Australia’s national interest, and we will continue to engage diplomatically,” he said.
Trade Minister Don Farrell is set to travel to the US in the coming days to push for an exemption.
Dutton Warns of Strained US-Australia Relations
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed concern about the tariff’s impact on US-Australia relations, pushing the Trump administration to think again.
“If this remains in place, it will damage the relationship between the United States and Australia,” he told reporters.
“Tariffs are not warranted against Australia, particularly since we have a trade surplus with the US.”
Dutton also took a swipe at Albanese, arguing that previous comments made by the Prime Minister and other officials about Trump may have complicated negotiations.
AUKUS Tensions and Diplomatic Fallout
US Democratic Congressman Joe Courtney criticized Trump’s tariff move, calling it an “insult to Australians” just days after Australia committed $800 million toward the AUKUS security pact.
“What we’re seeing is a completely needless, almost insulting move against Australia, one of America’s strongest allies,” Courtney said in the US House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asked Albanese to “stand up, not suck up” to Trump while negotiating the exemption.
Kevin Rudd is under Fire
Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the United States, has come under fire, with critics citing his previous remarks calling Trump a “traitor to the West” and a “village idiot.”Some in the opposition wonder if Rudd’s history with Trump puts at risk Australia’s chances of getting a favourable deal.
As negotiations continue, the Australian government remains eager to obtain an exemption, citing the two countries’ longstanding friendship and the economic benefits of free trade.
