The United States will impose tariffs of at least 10 per cent on foreign imports from Saturday. The move marks the implementation of President Donald Trump’s long-awaited “liberation day” trade policy.
Australia Receives Minimum Tariff Rate
The US has calculated that Australia will be subject to the minimum 10 per cent tariff. The White House referenced Australia’s “non-tariff trade barriers”, including biosecurity restrictions on certain American food products.
Australia consistently maintains a significant trade deficit with the US. This factor may have contributed to the decision to impose the minimum rate.
Trump’s Justification
Trump criticised Australia’s ban on fresh beef from North America. Australia implemented the restriction in 2003 over concerns about mad cow disease.
“They’re wonderful people and wonderful everything, but they ban American beef,” Trump said. “Yet, we imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They won’t take any of our beef. They don’t want it because they don’t want it to affect their farmers.
“And you know what? I don’t blame them, but we’re doing the same thing right now.”
President Trump has called out Australia as an unequal trading partner, citing beef tariffs, while also saying it’s a “country of wonderful people.”
We will also face at least a 10% reciprocal tariff on all goods into the US.
Your move Albo. pic.twitter.com/CEhDojhxbu
— Australians vs. The Agenda (@ausvstheagenda) April 2, 2025
American farmers argue these concerns are no longer valid and have been lobbying the White House to consider their grievances.
Tariff Rates Vary Across Countries
Many countries will face significantly higher than Australia’s. Imports from China will face 34 per cent, Malaysia and Cambodia 49 per cent, Vietnam 46 per cent, and Sri Lanka 44 per cent.
Other notable rates include Bangladesh at 37 per cent, Thailand at 36 per cent, Taiwan and Indonesia at 32 per cent, and Switzerland at 31 per cent. South Africa faces a tariff of 30 per cent, Pakistan 29 per cent, and India 26 per cent.
South Korea, Japan, and the European Union will face tariffs of 25 per cent, 24 per cent, and 20 per cent, respectively. The United Kingdom, Brazil, Singapore, Chile, Türkiye, and Colombia will all face tariffs of 10 per cent.
Australia’s Response
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected the rationale behind the. “These tariffs have no basis in logic and are not the act of a friend,” he said.
#Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose #tariffs was “not the act of a friend.” “The Trump administration’s tariffs have no basis in logic, and they go against the basis of our two nations’ partnership,”… pic.twitter.com/SUJNIR19vb
— 鳳凰衛視PhoenixTV (@PhoenixTVHK) April 3, 2025
Albanese confirmed Australia would not implement retaliatory counter Instead, the government will consider dispute resolution measures outlined in its free trade agreement with the US.
Australia and the US have maintained a free trade agreement since 2005. Australia has refrained from imposing on American products for over a decade.
American Officials Cite Non-Tariff Barriers
A senior White House official, speaking anonymously, cited non-barriers as the main issue. “Most of the problems we face with most of the countries are these non-tariff barriers,” the official said.
The official criticised Australia’s “sanitary and phytosanitary standards that are not based on real science.” The official also highlighted restrictions on American pork. “Pork is the third-largest US agricultural export to Australia, but they ban imports of fresh and chilled pork,” he said.
Impact on Global Markets
Trump’s tariffs have troubled American and global markets. Concerns about a potential recession have intensified as countries prepare to retaliate.
Prime Minister Albanese maintained Australia’s commitment to dispute resolution measures, rather than counter-tariffs. Trade analysts predict heightened tensions between the US and its trade partners.
Trump’s Trade Vision
Trump expressed his intention to revitalise American manufacturing. “For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike,” Trump said.
“For years, hard-working American citizens were forced to sit on the sidelines as other nations got rich and powerful, much of it at our expense, but now it’s our turn to prosper.”
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Domestic Criticism in the US
Senior Democratic member of Congress Chuck Schumer criticised the tariffs. “A huge tax on American families, all to help billionaires get a tax cut,” he said.
Uncertain Future
The Norfolk Island territory will face a tariff of 29 per cent for reasons yet unknown. American producers continue to push for tariffs as high as 70 per cent on Australian meat products like Wagyu beef.
The global trade landscape faces heightened uncertainty as the US enforces its new policy. American allies and trading partners prepare for disputes and potential retaliatory measures.
