MELBOURNE, Australia – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sharply condemned new 10% tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Australian exports, declaring “This is not the act of a friend.”
Speaking at an urgent press conference Thursday, Albanese labelled the tariffs “totally unwarranted.”
“President Trump referred to reciprocal tariffs. A reciprocal tariff would be zero, not 10%,” Albanese stated emphatically, flanked by his Foreign and Trade Ministers.
The Prime Minister warned the decision would fuel global economic uncertainty and directly hit American consumers, saying, “it will push up costs for American households.”
Despite the strong condemnation, Albanese announced Australia would not retaliate with its own tariffs. “We will not join a race to the bottom,” he said, arguing US consumers would “pay the biggest price” from such measures.
Instead, Albanese pledged A$50 million (US$31 million) in emergency aid for industries impacted by the US tariffs, such as beef producers, and vowed to strengthen anti-dumping regulations.
He indicated Australia would seek to resolve the dispute using mechanisms within their existing free trade agreement before escalating further.
The diplomatic clash comes just weeks ahead of Australia’s May 3 general election.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
