Donald Trump's threat to increase tariffs to "anti-American" countries is a problem for Australia
"I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting 12:00 P.M. (Eastern), Monday, July 7th. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, President of The United States of America,' Trump said on social media platform Truth Social.
Shortly following his post, Trump said any country aligning themselves with BRICS 'anti-American' policies will receive an additional 10 per cent tariff.
'Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' he said.
The President did not specify or expand on the 'Anti-American policies' referenced in the post.
BRICS is a group of gathered leaders in an intergovernmental organisation first composing of Brazil, Russia, India and China in its first summit in 2009.
The bloc later grew with South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates becoming members.
BRICS leaders met at a summit on Sunday taking aim at Trump's import tariffs and recent Israeli-US strikes on Iran.
Trump's threat around "anti-American" countries comes as Mr Albanese and Labor ministers were exposed for a long history of anti-Trump social media posts.
SkyNews.com.au uncovered the posts made about US President Donald Trump, which experts warn have 'sabotaged' relationships and plunged Australia into diplomatic crisis.
At least a dozen senior ministers have publicly attacked Donald Trump on social media, with some politicians describing him as a threat to democracy and a liar.
The Albanese government is under pressure to seek a meeting with the US president, while also not confirming whether Australia will receive a tariff exemption.
Albanese will be meeting with Xi Jinping, Premier of BRICS nation China, for the fourth time while he remains unable to meet with US President Trump.
Australia's tariff inclusion, which is currently subject to a 10 per cent blanket tariff and select duties on steel and aluminium, is raising alarm in both government and opposition ranks.
'We don't know yet (if Australia will receive a letter), that will be announced this week, but Australia is opposed to the reciprocal tariffs that have been foreshadowed for our nation,' Assistant Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite told Sky News.
'There has been a pause on them, and that pause ends this week. We've said that this is not the actions of a friend.'
Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic, however, put blame on Mr Albanese for putting the nation in a position of uncertainty.
'We don't know what we're getting because the Prime Minister hasn't had the conversations with the US President, and it is a big problem to assume we're just going to get the 10 per cent and not get a letter. That's not good enough,' she said.
Mr Albanese said US tariffs were 'an act of economic self-harm' and that he would continue to make the case for an exemption.
'We continue to be engaged with our American friends, but they have a different position on tariffs,' he said last weekend.
Meanwhile, former Labor senator Graham Richardson claims there are 'no signs' Trump will grant Australia a tariff exemption.
'I don't think there's a lot we can do about it … there are no signs at this stage that Trump's inclined to ease it off for us because I think he knows what the precedent for that means,' Mr Richardson told Sky News.
'He's pretty determined to keep that 10 per cent.'
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