Steel shock: Anthony Albanese slams Donald Trump’s steel tariffs as ‘inappropriate’, ‘economic self-harm’

Anthony Albanese has condemned Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Australian steel as an act of “economic self harm”. Unveiled during a Pennsylvania rally, the US President said lifting the levies on imported steel and aluminium from 25 per cent to 50 per cent would boost the domestic steel industry and protect American jobs. Mr Trump’s upped tariffs, plus a blanket 10 per cent levy on Australian goods, had blindsided world leaders, including Mr Albanese. The Prime Minister remained stern in condemning the move while speaking in Tasmania on Sunday. “This is an act of economic self harm by the United States that will increase the cost for consumers in the United States,” he said. “Because it is supplied across the board, what it will do is not create any comparative advantage or disadvantage for Australia compared with other countries that export into the United States. “This is something that will just increase the cost for consumers in the United States. Which is why it is an inappropriate action by the Trump Administration.” A US trade court had struck down Mr Trump’s previous “Liberation Day” tariffs which would have impacted Australia’s beef producers and other goods. However, the steel and aluminum doesn’t apply in the same ruling, which are governed by different legal rules and justifications. WA Premier Roger Cook will on Wednesday convene a snap meeting of some of the State’s leading business figures as fears grow global tensions could hit the WA economy. About 40 leaders across industries including mining, energy and agriculture, manufacturing and construction will attend the summit. “We know we are facing some pretty tough global economic challenges and Western Australia is not immune to that, but we also have the strongest economy in our nation, and we want to keep it that way,” WA Minister Sabine Winton said on Sunday. “I think the Premier’s initiative in bringing together business leaders to ensure that our economy continues to stay strong and is able to deal with whatever comes is really, really important.” Industrial Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth maintained there was a “pathway” for Australia to obtain an exemption from Mr Trump’s upped tariffs. Speaking on Sky, Ms Rishworth said the government will “throw everything” at the negotiations, and said they were “unjustifiable moves” and not what you’d expect from a “friend and an ally”. While Mr Albanese is set to meet the US President in just weeks at the Canadian-held G7 summit, there is growing speculation the PM will not make a trip to the White House while in Northern America. “We have, of course, continued to work through this and be in contact with those Americans in the administration to work through in a methodical and consistent way,” Ms Rishworth said. “And we’ll continue to put forward that these tariffs should be removed from Australian steel, and we’ll continue to do that and put forward our national industries.” Shadow Finance Minister James Paterson said echoed his colleagues across the chamber in criticising the new tariffs, labelling it a “deeply disappointing decision”. “This is a deeply disappointing decision from the United States government,” he told Sky on Sunday. “It is not consistent with the US Australia Free Trade Agreement, it is harmful to our otherwise very good relationship with our most important ally and strategic partner and I don’t understand how it’s in the United States interests.” Mr Paterson said it was important Australia diversify their trade relations globally and that the PM held strong in international relations with the United States. “We benefit from the International free trade system, and we need to defend it,” he said. “I think it’s very important that the Prime Minister does that in a way that is respectful but assertive. “We have to put our best foot forward because the workers in these industries deserve a government that is robustly fighting for them and is taking up every opportunity to do so. “I think it is unfortunate that if the Prime Minister does meet the President at the sidelines of the G7 that will be the first time that they have met in person since the President was elected in November last year.”