U.S. President Trump announced that Australia would not be subject to the newly implemented American tariffs on steel and aluminum. Australia had used diplomatic pressure to save Australian steel. Trump said he will spare “the great nation of Australia” from the import levy.
U.S. President Trump announced that Australia would not be subject to the newly implemented American tarrifs on steel and aluminum. Australia had used diplomatic pressure to save Australian steel. Trump said he will spare “the great nation of Australia” from the import levy.
Australia joins Canada and Mexico as being exempt from the trade levy. Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull spoke with Mr Trump on Saturday in what he described as a “very good and productive discussion” whereby Turnbull reminded Trump of the long-standing military ties between the US and Australia. He also spoke of the “very fair and reciprocal” trade relationship between the two nations.
“I was very pleased the President was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium,” Mr Turnbull later told reporters.
Mr Trump also tweeted about the phone call and indicated Australia would be spared the tariffs. “Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia. He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship.. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don’t have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!”
Mr Turnbull said there were no strings attached to the settlement, and that Mr Trump’s reference was simply “shorthand” for the legal paperwork which would now be put into effect.
In two weeks, the US will raise tariffs on steel imports by 25 per cent, and on aluminium by 10 per cent, as Mr Trump erects trade barriers as part of his efforts to increase American jobs. On Friday the U.S. BLS reported that the most jobs were added in America since July 2016 in February.
Source: Twitter, Reuters
From a Sunburt Country