Australian news and politics recap: Anthony Albanese brushes off concern about superannuation cyber attack

“When we were in government last time, when President Trump was in the Oval Office, we were able to negotiate an exemption for Australia,” Mr Dutton told Sunrise.

“It was at zero per cent.

“Other countries had the tariff applied, we didn’t. It’s because we put work into the relationship.”

Mr Dutton told Sunrise host Natalie Barr that he thinks the Coalition can get an exemption.

“We have an incredible (opportunity) with the defence industry sector, to continue to grow that.

“If we can do that I think there is value in the Americans’ eyes and I think the 10 per cent is just a lever average. It’s a negotiating tactic.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia could have secured a tariff deal had Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his team done “the work”.

The claim comes after Mr Trump imposed sweeping tarriffs on almost every country in the world, with none (except for countries with sanctions on them) securing a complete exemption.

“Had we done the work beforehand, I think there was a deal to be struck,” Mr Dutton said on Sunrise on Friday.

“When you look at the statement out of the White House, they are talking about ways in which there is a deal to be done here and we do have, I think, the opportunity through critical minerals, through the relationship that we have in the Defence sphere, to pull together something that’s in our mutual bestinterests.”

Sunrise host Natalie Barr pointed out Australia “got the best deal in the world” with only 10 per cent tariffs being imposed, with Mr Dutton responding saying America needs Australian beef.