Penny Wong defends government’s Trump tariff stance, warns of Dutton’s ‘at any cost’ deal
Penny Wong admits the impact of Donald Trump’s first few weeks in the Oval Office has reverberated right around the globe.
Speaking at a business breakfast in Perth on Tuesday morning, the Foreign Affairs Minister said there had already been a great deal of change from Washington.
“President Trump’s American-first agenda envisages a very different role for America in the world and it is what the American people have chosen,” Senator Wong said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The President campaigned on change, and none of us should minimise the implications of this change.
“Over the first several weeks of the Trump administration, we have seen how broad all those implications are around the world.”
Mr Trump’s first couple of months in power have resulted in several draconian tariffs that affect its traditional allies.
Although some of the widest ranging measures were quickly rescinded, a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports has remained.
Australia has not been able to secure an exemption like it did for during Mr trump’s first administration and Senator Wong said the tariffs were not in the spirit of the friendship between the nations.
“Our response to the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on Australian has been firm and it has been clear,” she said.
“The Prime Minister has said these measures are entirely unjustified and against the spirit of our two nations’ enduring friendship.
“It’s fundamentally at odds with the benefits that our economic partnership has delivered over more than 70 years.”
More tariffs are on the way, with a tariff on “external” agricultural products planned for April 2.
Senator Wong ruled out any retaliatory tariffs, saying it would hurt the Australian consumer.
“We don’t want to add to the cost of living and the cost of doing business,” she said.
Senator Wong also criticised Opposition leader Peter Dutton over his claims he could do a deal to get Australia exempt from the measures.
“Not one leader of the 36 countries that got a deal last time got a deal this time, so I think Australians are rightly incredulous about that,” she said.
“There are already concerns Mr Dutton will do a deal at any cost, unlike Mr Dutton we are not going to give away the farm and we don’t have to.
“We’ve always put these interests in Australia industries and workers first.”
