Australian treasurer seeking tariff exemption in talks with Bessent
Australia’s treasurer, Jim Chalmers, will continue to push for steel and aluminum tariff exemptions in his discussions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week.
Chalmers traveled to Washington Sunday night for his first in-person meeting with his counterpart since Bessent assumed the post, though Chalmers noted in a statement that “our established relationship predates this meeting.”
Chalmers told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that he doesn’t “expect to conclude those discussions on steel and aluminium while I’m in DC,” but expects the tariffs will be a focus of discussions.
"Trade and tariffs will be part of the conversation, but not the whole conversation,” he said in the statement. “That's an ongoing discussion that we are having with our American counterparts.”
Chalmers said in a statement that the meeting came "at an important time for the global economic outlook."
“The United States – Australian economic partnership brings significant benefits to both sides,” he continued. “From capital markets to critical minerals and trade, there is much to discuss.”
The meeting comes amid a push from the Australian government for tariff exemptions on Australian steel and aluminum.
President Trump this year removed exemptions from his 2018 tariffs on steel imports, effectively taxing all steel imports at a minimum of 25 percent, and he raised his 2018 tariffs on aluminum imports to 25 percent as well.
Trump said on Feb. 10 he agreed to “give great consideration to” a tariff exemption on Australian steel and aluminum after speaking to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Australia had an exemption from the tariffs during Trump’s first term.
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