Australia has avoided a US tariff increase, maintaining a 10 per cent rate while other countries face higher tariffs. The decision follows negotiations between Australian and US officials, with the Albanese government claiming the outcome as a diplomatic success.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia has maintained its 10 per cent tariff rate on exports to the United States, avoiding an increase that has impacted several other countries. The decision, confirmed by a White House Executive Order, came after negotiations and was communicated to Australia's Trade Minister by his US counterpart. Australia is one of only three countries spared from the tariff hike, alongside the United Kingdom and Brazil, while nations such as New Zealand and Canada face significant increases. The Albanese government has credited its diplomatic efforts, including recent changes to biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports, for the positive outcome. However, there are concerns that this reprieve may be temporary, as the US administration continues to review its trade policies.

Australia spared from Trump's latest tariff hike

From Liberation Day to Decision Day, Australia dodging a US tariff bullet holding firm at a baseline rate of just 10 per cent. This is a vindication for the Albanese government and particularly the Prime Minister. The White House Executive Order confirmed new and revised rates after a pause on April 2nd to allow for negotiations. The news delivered to the Trade Minister in an early morning phone call with his US counterpart. He did indicate that there had been some pressure. Before a captain's call came from the top. President Trump had decided to maintain that 10 per cent. Australia is just one of three countries spared from a hike alongside United Kingdom and Brazil. Others not so lucky, including New Zealand, now subject to 15 per cent tariffs, and Canada the hardest hike from 25 to 35 per cent. A punishment, President Trump says, for recognising Palestine as a state yesterday. Economists say Australia's low rate gives us an edge in the trade race. Which means basically that we have a competitive advantage against those countries. The President said we're going to prioritise our key trading partners, which we have done. But US Democrats were scathing. If there's one country that's benefited from all this chaos, it's China. Australia's decision to ditch biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports last week could have helped avoid tariff trouble. For a moment, we've got a reprieve from an increasingly dangerous and erratic regime in Washington. Fearing the tariff reprieve could be a brief one. We have concerns that Donald Trump has his eye on the PBS. The Albanese government has claimed the tariff announcement as a victory, one it's managed to achieve without a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump. It's now extended an invite to the US Secretary of Commerce, hopeful all trade tariffs can be removed. I think it still very much needs to be a priority. Obviously he should be trying to negotiate aluminium and steel tariff levels to be lower for us. We will continue the discussions. The tariffs come into effect next week. Jessica Maggio, 10 News.

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