Albanese aims to scale trade walls after Trump triumph
Anthony Albanese will deliver a major speech to support Australia’s position on international trade after making many significant advances.
The Prime Minister’s speech follows the removal of US tariffs on Australian beef and other agricultural exports, as well as the signing of major security and defense agreements with close neighbours.
“Being geographically centered in this region, we are uniquely positioned to advance our common interests as well as demonstrate solutions and strategies to solve common problems,” Mr. Albanese said, according to an advanced copy of his remarks. he will say.
“Perhaps the role of the middle power is now greater than ever.”
Mr Albanese underlines the enduring value of APEC, a forum of 21 member economies that promotes free trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The forum accounts for more than 60 per cent of global GDP and 75 per cent of Australian trade.
Mr Albanese will address an audience in Melbourne on Monday: “In an economy like ours, where a quarter of jobs in Australia depend on trade, the impact of that market and supply chains is huge.”
Australia and Indonesia reached an agreement after months of negotiations, committing both countries to routine consultations on security issues.
The prime minister’s speech also mentions an agreement with Papua New Guinea and elevates relations with Australia to the level of an alliance with New Zealand and the USA.
Australia’s political leaders celebrated the removal of US tariffs on beef and other agricultural products and a major deal on critical minerals.
Mr. Albanese’s team will soon shift its focus to eliminating all remaining trade barriers with the United States.
The Prime Minister is also focusing on advances in clean energy, artificial intelligence and the broader evolution of global trade.
“These all represent Australian challenges and Australian opportunities. But not in isolation,” he will say.
“They are global and connect us all, so we cannot find our well-being or our place in the world just by looking within.”
