Australian news and politics live updates: Trump must be ‘taken by his word’ after tariff move, diplomat says

Anthony Albanese would not be drawn on whether he discussed US President Donald Trump’s plans to “take over” the Gaza strip during their nearly 40 minute meeting.

“Australia’s position is outlined very clearly... We haven’t changed our position,” the Prime Minister said.

When asked again if he had spoken to President Trump about the plan, Mr Albanese repeated: “We haven’t changed our position”.

“I’ll speak about what Australia’s position is,” he said.

“We support two states, the right of Palestinians and Israelis to both live in peace and security with prosperity.”

The Government has a “pretty firm handle” on the potential impact of damaging US trade tariffs directly and indirectly on the Australian economy, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Tuesday.

Mr Chalmers spoke to the media as US President Donald Trump assured Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a phone call that he would consider a tariff exemption for Australia from a blanket 25 per cent import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the US.

The Treasurer said Monday’s announcement was “not especially surprising” as a lot of his proposals were flagged during the US election campaign.

“That gave us the opportunity to do equal work with Treasury and with DFAT and other agencies to try and get a handle on the potential impacts,” he said.

“There’s the direct impacts of any tariffs, and there is the broader impacts of escalating trade tensions involving the Americans, Chinese and others. And so the Treasury looked at both of those sets of possible implications for us.

“We expect changes in policy for a new administration. We’re confident that we can navigate them. We all are well placed and well prepared to deal with announcements coming out of DC, and part of that effort is engaging directly, as the Prime Minister has this morning.”

Donald Trump has spoken to Anthony Aklbanese about AUKUS and the PM confirmed the alliance is in ‘good shape’.

“This is one of President Trump’s first calls that he’s had with world leaders as well,” Mr Albanese said on Tuesday morning.

“It was one of the first calls that was had between leaders after his election victory as well.

“The relationship is in good shape.

“Quite clearly. I’ve indicated there’s very positive support for the AUKUS relationship.

“I have no intention of speaking on behalf of President Trump - that is up to him - but, quite clearly, I’ve indicated there’s strong bipartisan support for AUKUS in Australia and in the United States.”

PM Anthony Albanese suggested to Donald Trump that they needed to consider their wording carefully about the decsion to consider tariff exemptions for Australia.

“What I envisage is continuing to act to respond diplomatically. That’s how you get things done,” Mr Albanese said.

“My government’s got a record of getting things done in Australia’s national interest. I’ll continue to do so. I’ve made very explicit - I said to President Trump that this was an issue of some media coverage in Australia, and that we therefore agreed on the words that would be used - that it was “under consideration”.

“That’s what I’ll stick to.

“But we’ll continue to engage - quite clearly constructively. But I’ll say this - it was a very constructive and warm discussion, again, with President Trump.

“We spoke about a range of other things as well, including the fact that Jordan Mailata is a Super Bowl champion, and I did point out that he was a South Sydney junior - which was very important.”

The Albanese Government has secured commitments from banks to shore up rural banking services.

Jackson Hewett reports that under a new agreement, NAB has introduced a moratorium on regional branch closures, while Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have extended theirs. No regional branches from these banks will close before July 31, 2027.

The Australia Post service Bank@Post will be expanded, with ANZ’s acquisition of Suncorp Bank conditional on its participation.

Bank@Post, which operates out of 3500 post offices, will see increased investment with Macquarie and HSBC also in negotiations to join.

“We are standing up for regional Australians, helping to secure the banking services they need and deserve,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in a statement.

“Since 2017, 36 per cent of bank branches in regional Australia have closed and we are taking action to arrest this decline in regional banking services.”

The deals replaces a rural bank levy that was being considered by federal Treasury and had been opposed by major players as unfairly advantaging digital banks such as Macquarie.

“It’s about 2/1 when it comes to trade between our two countries, “ Mr Albanese said at his morning oress conference.

“The US is an important investor, of course, here in Australia as well. When you look at the imports of these products into the US, it’s about 1 per cent of imports of steel, 2 per cent of aluminium.

“Our steel is an important input for US manufacturing. BlueScope is the US’s fifth-largest steelmaker. They’ve invested $5 billion in the US across a range of states. I think there’s more than 30 different investments there.

Of course, the major export is Colorbond there for roofs in California on the West Coast and at places at ports.

“Our aluminium is a critical input for manufacturing in the United States.”

“Our aluminium is a critical input for manufacturing in the United States. Our steel and aluminium are both key inputs for the US-Australia defence industries in both of our countries.”

“I presented Australia’s case for an exemption, and we agreed on wording to say publicly, which is that the US President agreed that anexemption was under consideration in the interests of both of our countries.”

“This morning I had a great conversation with President Donald Trump,” Mr Albanese said via X.

“We committed to working constructively together to advance Australian and American interests, drive economic prosperity and face shared challenges.

“For decades, the Alliance between the United States and Australia has served the interests of both our nations, and supported peace, stability and growth in our region.

“I look forward to working closely with President Trump to create jobs and deliver benefits for both our nations.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning.

The PM was set to discuss tariff exemptions for Australia after Mr Trump announced they will impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel exports.

The PM’s office have called a snap press conference in Canberra which is coming up soon.

Democrat Joe Courtney, who is the co-chair of the Congressional AUKUS Working Group, has rushed to the defence of Australia in the face of Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Mr Courtney ripped into the plan during a speech to Congress at the Capitol on Monday local time, calling it “completely needless” and an “insult”.

“Australia is a key strategic ally for our country. They are positioned in the Indo-Pacific at a place where, again, tensions are sky high,” Mr Courtney said.

“Instead, what we’re seeing is a completely needless, almost insult to the people of Australia by raising tariffs of Australian products coming into this country.”

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