Anthony Albanese says Australia won’t negotiate on three key issues for tariffs US has identified

The Prime Minister says Australia will not negotiate on three key factors the US has identified as issues as the Trump administration prepares to release its “Liberation Day” tariffs update this week.

The US government has published the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, which outline a series of gripes it has with the trade policies of other countries.

Among those gripes: Australia’s restrictions on imports of American beef, pork and poultry; our biosecurity laws handling fruit imports; elements of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; and the News Media Bargaining Code.

The Prime Minister said he had seen the report and there were “at least three things that are of concern to Australia” – the News Bargaining Code, pharmaceuticals and biosecurity.

“Those issues are not up for negotiation with the Australian government,” Mr Albanese said.

“We defend Australia’s interests. The idea that we would weaken biosecurity laws is really, as my mum would say, cutting off your nose to spite your face.

“We’ll negotiate sensibly, but we won’t undermine the biosecurity system.

Reporters at Mr Albanese’s election campaign press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday morning repeatedly grilled the PM on his government’s stance towards the United States.

Of specific concern was trade policy, ahead of President Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” on April 2 US time when his administration is expected to impose sweeping tariffs on nations across much of the world, including Australia.

Mr Albanese said his government had been in “ongoing” discussion with the US administration,

“These are issues that we have been discussing with the US administration. Those discussions are ongoing. I want to see a constructive outcome.”

Mr Albanese said he had “a constructive relationship” with President Trump despite once saying Mr Trump “scares the s***” out of him.

“I have a constructive relationship with the President, and I’ve had two very constructive phone calls with him,” Mr Albanese replied.

He also declined to directly answer a question on whether his request for a third phone call had been agreed to.

“What we’re doing is – the US is putting forward a position; we’re putting forward a position,” the PM said.

“What happens is that phone calls come together when things are agreed.”

He was subsequently asked about poll figures that show Australian voters trust Peter Dutton more than him to deal with Mr Trump.

“I’m not a commentator. I’ll leave all that to you,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Albanese also said Australia would follow its own lead for foreign policy,

“I put to him that the United States has an interest in the relationship with Australia, because it has two-for-one – historically, twice as many exports from the United States into Australia than the reverse.

“I indicated how much investment, potentially to the tune of $500bn, Australian superannuation funds could make in the United States in the coming years.

“The President is fully aware of our position, and fully aware of my position.”