US tariffs ‘second fiddle’ to overseas student caps
A specialist said that Australia’s boundaries on international students could be a greater problem than US tariffs.
President Donald Trump’s tariffs became the largest economic story of the year, most of the Australian goods were hit with 10 percent tax, while 50 percent tariff steel and aluminum were sent to the USA.
However, according to Luke Hartigan, an economic lecturer at Sydney University, the direct impact of measures on Australia is relatively small.
The bigger problem can be a problem that Australia already gives itself on its own.
“It is important to look at bigger things,” Dr Hartig said in a statement to AAP.
“Tariff exemption is important, but if we wanted to hit ourselves, we would have reduced the number of international students.”
“The second violin with the United States is the second violin.”
International student education was worth $ 51 billion for the Australian economy in 2023/24, but both political parties revealed 270,000 CAP from 2025 after they started to work more than 445,000 a year ago.
Dr Hartigan said that international students are important for soft power.
“They see the Australian culture, they get information about Australia, and they go back and talk positively about Australia, so it’s a very positive thing,” he said.
However, most of the Australian political interpretations, especially since Mr. Trump was preparing to remove the tariff pause on July 9, he took over the tariff.
Prime Minister Anthony Arbanese said the government would continue to negotiate for exemption while keeping national interests in mind and reject Trump -style isolationist policies.
However, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said the government “shaking the white flag” and called Mr. Albania for not being able to meet with Mr. Trump.
“There are countries interested in the new US President and speaking, but not ours … Shameful.” He said.
Dr Hartigan said that Australia may feel indirect effects when the pause increases.
Tariffs on China may cause problems for Australia and uncertainty around taxes can play on the stock market.
