PM set for crucial talks with ‘unpredictable’ Trump
Australian prime minister heads to Washington for high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump; An agreement to reduce tariffs may not happen, an expert warns.
Anthony Albanese leaves Canberra on Sunday afternoon for a long-awaited face-to-face meeting with the US president in his first bilateral meeting at the White House.
The AUKUS defense agreement and tariffs on Australian exports, which are being reviewed by the Trump administration, will dominate the discussions.
Most Australian goods have the lowest duty rate of any country at 10 per cent, while steel and aluminum products are subject to a 50 per cent duty.
In the statement made by Mr. Albanese, it was stated that the trip was an opportunity to deepen ties between the two countries, including investment trade.
The prime minister will be joined for parts of the trip by Resources Minister Madeleine King and Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres.
Australian National University political academic John Hart said the US was unlikely to repeal or reduce the tax, despite Australia’s attempts at exemptions.
“I don’t see how Trump can make an exception for Australia and keep the tariff for everyone else,” he told AAP.
“If that were the case, that would put Australia offside against many of the other trading partners affected because if tariffs were reduced Australia would sell more steel and aluminum than its rivals.
“Australia has to live with steel and aluminum tariffs.”
The Prime Minister said he looked forward to a “positive and constructive” meeting with Mr Trump.
“Australia and the United States have stood shoulder to shoulder in every major conflict for over a century,” Mr Albanese said.
“Our meeting is an important opportunity to consolidate and strengthen Australia-US relations.”
Dr Hart said Mr Albanese would face difficulties dealing with Mr Trump on his home turf after other world leaders held tense talks with the president in the Oval Office.
“Trump’s behavior is completely unpredictable and that is a matter for the prime minister,” he said.
Australian officials are laying the groundwork for a possible deal with the United States on access to critical mineral reserves in the hope it could be used as a bargaining chip to reduce tariffs.
Dr Hart said the prime minister’s main goal would be to ensure the AUKUS submarine treaty remained in force.
The U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing the deal, worth more than $300 billion, to make sure it aligns with Mr. Trump’s “America First” agenda.
“If the US leaves AUKUS, it will shake the world,” he said.
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