Trump's administration claims Australia 'kills' US aluminum market
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Senior Trade Adviser to the US President, Peter Navarro, claimed that Australia is "killing" the US Aluminum market. This statement could deal a blow to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's efforts to secure an exemption from tariffs on steel and aluminum, which are set to take effect next month, Bloomberg reports.
"Australia is simply killing our aluminum market. They just flood our markets. That’s what we’re dealing with. Our aluminum industry is on its back," said Trump's senior trade and manufacturing adviser
Navarro's comments came after a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese. Following the call, the Australian Prime Minister stated that the White House leader had agreed to consider exempting Australia from US tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Bloomberg also reminded that during Trump's first presidential term, Australia spent months in intense negotiations with Washington to avoid similar tariffs.
What precedes
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that on Monday, February 10, US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports without any exceptions. The decision will come into effect on March 4. However, Trump noted that he might consider an exemption for Australia, given its import of US-made aircraft.
Meanwhile, the major steel exporters to the U.S. reacted differently to the decision.
- Brazil stated that it would not engage in a trade war, despite the newly imposed tariffs.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the tariffs "absolutely unjustified" and warned of a "firm and clear response" if it comes to that.
