Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused of ‘waving the white flag' to President Trump as tariff talks stall and meeting eludes PM

Sky News AU

15 hours ago

President Trump has announced 12 signed letters will be sent to countries on Monday to outline the various tariff levels they face on goods exported to the US.
Mr Albanese admitted at the Sky News Economic Outlook 2025 forum that he was not expecting an exemption from the universal 10 per cent tariff.
Shadow trade minister Kevin Hogan told Sky News Sunday Agenda that Mr Albanese initially failed to prioritise the US relationship and has been scrambling ever since.
'I think he's waving a white flag, and I don't know why he'd be saying that before the (official tariff) announcement,' Mr Hogan said.
'It is embarrassing that our Prime Minister has not been able to secure a physical meeting (with President Trump).
'I think, initially it wasn't a priority of his. Now he seems to be struggling to get one.'
Mr Hogan pointed to recent carve-outs from US tariffs granted to other allies, including the UK, Mexico and Canada.
'Steel and aluminium tariffs have gone up to 50 per cent. They're not at 10 per cent. Countries have got carve-outs to that… but not ours,' Mr Hogan said.
'There are countries dealing and talking to the US president, but not ours.'
At the Economic Outlook event hosted by Sky News and The Australian, Mr Albanese downplayed the prospect of imminent tariff relief.
'We will continue to put our case… but bear in mind that during the first Trump administration, it took some period of time for change to occur then as well,' he said.
'You know, when negotiating with (him)… he has said that there's no more beautiful word in the English language than 'tariff',' Mr Albanese said.
'Now, we have a different view. That wouldn't be in my top million of words.'
That admission drew criticism from the opposition, which has argued Mr Albanese's foreign policy priorities have been misaligned.
Sky News recently revealed that Mr Albanese will visit Beijing before he makes it to the White House.
Mr Hogan questioned why Mr Albanese would meet with China's leadership before arranging an in-person conversation with President Trump.
'The fact that he is going to see (Chinese President) Xi, I think is a good thing… But it's still embarrassing… he hasn't been able to secure a meeting with the US president.'
Emergency Management Minister Kirsty McBain defended Mr Albanese and insisted the relationship with the US remains intact.
'This isn't an either-or situation… We're working really hard with all of our trading partners,' Ms McBain told Sky News Sunday Agenda.
'We've done away with about $20 billion in trade impediments (with China), because we've had a calibrated and open communication with them over the last three years.'
She also dismissed claims the government was being snubbed by the US, arguing that Mr Albanese and Mr Trump had already spoken three times by phone.
'Each of them has been warm and friendly. We did have a meeting lined up, but obviously the situation in Iran and Israel required him to be back in the US,' she said.