Trump rules out steel tariff exemption for Australia: 'Disappointed'
March 13, 2025
Australia said on Wednesday it was "very disappointed" that U.S. President Donald Trump did not grant it an exemption from steel and aluminum tariffs, but vowed to continue lobbying the U.S. administration for a reprieve. Trump said in February that he would "give full consideration" to exempting Australia from tariffs given the United States' annual trade surplus with the country. However, the White House announced on Tuesday that a previously planned 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum products imported into the United States from all countries would take effect on Wednesday, with no exceptions or exemptions. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Mars said his government would continue to press the Trump administration for a waiver. "Obviously, it's really disappointing news," Mars said in an interview.
