Anthony Albanese's low tariff claim in doubt after Trump unveils higher global rate

West Australian

11 hours ago

Donald Trump says he will impose a baseline tariff of 15 to 20 per cent across the globe as the Albanese Government still struggles to secure a deal before Friday's deadline.
The US president said in Scotland overnight he was planning a new tariff 'for the world'. When asked how high it would be, Mr Trump replied: 'I would say it'll be somewhere in the 15 to 20 per cent range.'
'I just want to be nice. Probably one of those two numbers,' he said.
Just hours before Trump announced his higher tariffs, Anthony Albanese continued to boast about Australia's 10pc rate.
'The truth is that no country in the world has a lower tariff than Australia has right now, of 10 per cent,' the Prime Minister said in Question Time on Monday afternoon.
'Most cases have, of course, been higher — 15-25 (per cent) — some substantially higher.'
The pause on Mr Trump's reciprocal tariffs is set to expire on Friday, following his letters earlier this month to leaders of more than 20 countries, informing them of new tariffs
Several other nations have reached trade deals through formal trade agreements, including Japan, Indonesia and the UK.
Labor Minister Mark Butler admitted on Tuesday he wasn't aware of the new tariff rate by the Trump administration.
The Opposition has dialled up pressure on the Albanese government to avoid being hit with even higher tariffs.
Liberal Senator James Paterson said if Australia was lumped in the higher world tariff it would be 'enormously disappointing'.
'I think it's damaging to its relationships with its allies and its friends around the world,' he said.
'I am concerned by the way in which the Australian government continually seems to be surprised by these developments.
'I absolutely concede this is an unconventional US administration, that it changes its policy, often at short notice.
'But I think there's enough evidence now in the public realm that we do have a problem in the bilateral relationship between Australia and the United States.'
Mr Albanese has argued since they were unveiled in April on 'Liberation Day' that tariffs were 'an act of economic self-harm'.
'Australia has a free trade agreement with the United States. We impose zero tariffs on them. That is our ideal,' he said.
'But the President of the United States has made it very clear with statements — including that 'tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language' — that that is not his position.
'We'll continue to argue our case.'