Don Farrell says placing a tariff on a country where there is a trade deficit ‘doesn’t make any sense’ after US president announced blanket 25% duty

Australia’s trade minister has denied the Trump administration’s claims local aluminium producers are “killing” America’s market, rejecting US allegations at the centre of the tariff standoff that Canberra had breached a Morrison-era handshake deal to limit exports.

Don Farrell says he “can’t predict” when the US president, Donald Trump, might come to a decision on whether to grant Australia an exemption to 25% steel and aluminium tariffs, but has argued bluntly that such trade barriers would be harmful.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email

Continue reading...