Donald Trump hits Australian exports to US with new higher trade tariff over claims of ‘forced labour’. Photograph: Darren England/AAPAustralia newsDonald Trump hits Australian exports to US with new higher trade tariff over claims of ‘forced labour’Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell, says tariff regime is unjustified and inconsistent with free trade agreement with US.
Donald Trump has hit Australian exports with new trade tariffs, claiming the country is not doing enough to combat forced labour, but the Albanese government has demanded he remove them immediately.
Details
Available information indicates that Photograph: Darren England/AAP View image in fullscreen Donald Trump has imposed a new 12.5% tariff on Australian exports to the US.
Donald Trump has imposed a new 12.5% tariff on Australian exports to the US, in a development tied to the same story.
The United States announced on Friday morning (AEST) that many Australian exports now attract a new 12.5% tariff as part of a broader regime affecting dozens of countries.
We continue to make that argument to the Trump administration, both in terms of trade but also in terms of our stance in relation to forced labour, and that’ll continue to be our position and the way in which we advocate.”.
Other economies on a separate list – including the UK, India, Indonesia, Canada and Mexico – will be subject to a lower 10% tariff after the US claimed they had only failed to “enforce” forced labour prohibitions.
The American trade action document claims “the United States is the only country in the world to adopt, and effectively enforce, a ban on imports made with forced labor”.
and practices determined to be actionable in the investigation” – that is the claims of not doing enough to deal with forced labour, in a development tied to the same story.
Separately, The Australian trade minister, Don Farrell, immediately pushed back on the tariffs and called for the US to change course.
Statements
Context
The US trade action document that sets out the new tariffs includes exemptions for a range of goods including beef.
Available information indicates that The Australian trade minister, Don Farrell, immediately pushed back on the tariffs and called for the US to change course.
“The Trade Representative has determined, in accordance with the specific direction of the President, that the tariff rate to be applied, and the scope of tariffs and exemptions are appropriate to obtain the elimination of the acts, policies, and practices determined to be actionable in the investigation” – that is, the claims of not doing enough to deal with forced labour.
