Trump Rejects Australia's Request for 25% Tariff Exemption on Steel and Aluminum, Effective Tomorrow

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Published Mar 12, 2025, 12:42 AM

US President Donald Trump has rejected Australia's request for an exemption from the upcoming 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, set to take effect tomorrow in the US. The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that Trump considered the exemption but ultimately decided against it, emphasizing an 'America First' policy. The decision comes despite a lobbying effort by the Australian government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The rejection is seen as a setback for Australia, which had previously enjoyed a tariff exemption under Trump's earlier administration. The move could cost Australian businesses hundreds of millions of dollars. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized the decision as unjustified but has ruled out imposing reciprocal tariffs on the US. The Australian government continues to engage with the US on the issue, though it remains unclear if further negotiations will yield a different outcome. Past criticisms of Trump by Australian figures may have influenced the decision.

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