Australia’s trade minister shares national defense interests as exports of steel and aluminum to the US generate “good paying American employment” and report to Washington to exempt planned tariffs from President Donald Trump He said it was the key to doing so.
Trump said Sunday that another major escalation of his trade policy overhaul would introduce a new 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, in addition to his existing metals operations. .
Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Monday that Australia, the leading US security ally in the Indo-Pacific, announced a “free and fair deal” in a meeting with the Trump administration, “including access to the US market for Australian steel and aluminum.” He said he was insisting. .
“Australian steel and aluminum produce American jobs that pay thousands of people well and are key to our shared defensive benefits,” he said in a statement.
Farrell has yet to meet his US counterpart, who has not been confirmed in that role, but Australian officials have represented aluminum and steel exports for months, and during the previous President Trump They are trying to secure a similar exemption from winning tariffs. 2018.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the National Assembly on Monday that he is scheduled to speak with Trump and will raise the issue.
“We will continue to assert the United States to ensure that Australia is exempt from any steel and aluminum tariffs,” he told Congress.
Defense Minister Richard Marless met US counterpart Pete Hegses in Washington on Friday, and Australia paid the first $500 million to boost production in the US.
The submarine industry under Australia’s defense projects in which Australia purchases several US nuclear submarines and builds submarines.
Australian processed steel was purchased by the largest in the US
The Australian government was a military shipbuilder last year as Australia, the UK and the US, who have been seeking to integrate their defense supply chains.
Australia-registered shares in Bluescope Steel rose almost 2% in expectations that US businesses gain from tariffs. It operates North Star Mill in Ohio and employs around 4,000 people in the United States.