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Opposition: Australian Government Faces ‘Test’ with Trump Tariffs


Trump has just agreed to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days amid action at the US border on immigration.

Coalition frontbencher Senator Bridget McKenzie has labelled the threat of Trump tariffs a “test” for the Albanese government amid the shifting global trade landscape.

She pointed out the importance of the United States as a trading partner.

“America is our third largest trading partner. They sell more to us than we do to them. But these tariff issues, particularly on aluminium and steel, are potentially going to have flow on impact for us. And it’s a real test for Ambassador [Kevin] Rudd, for Penny Wong, for our trade minister, to see that they can make sure that our national interest is upheld,” she said on the Today Show on Feb. 4.

“America is our largest investor, so this is a serious issue. I don’t think the prime minister has a lot of faith in Ambassador Rudd. He’s had to dispatch Deputy Prime Minister [Richard] Marles off on a rescue mission to the United States … in coming days.”

The Albanese government has so far been positive about the Trump administration, pointing out they are doing exactly as they promised to do before the election.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth provided reassurance the Australian government was putting forward a strong case to the Trump administration on Australia’s free trade agreement with the United States.

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