Albanese Says Australia Ready for Trump Meeting as Tariff Pressure Mounts

Credit: PM Anthony Albanese FB page

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday he is prepared to meet US President Donald Trump "when a suitable time can be organised" as Australia faces mounting pressure over American tariffs that have reached 50% on metal exports.

Speaking on ABC Afternoon Briefing, Albanese declined to specify whether he preferred an Oval Office meeting over waiting for multilateral summits, saying the location matters less than outcomes for Australia's national interests.

"I'd be prepared, of course, to meet with President Trump when a suitable time can be organised," Albanese told host Patricia Carvellis. "We also have the Quad meeting coming up that we are finalising as well, which will bring together the leaders, of course, of the United States, Australia, Japan and India and that will take place in coming months."

The comments come as Australia grapples with escalating US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The US president initially imposed a 10% tariff on imported goods from Australia, followed by a 25% tariff on metal exports that Trump has since increased to 50%.

Albanese confirmed Australia currently faces the lowest tariff rate among affected nations at 10% for general goods, while defending his government's push for reciprocal trade arrangements.

"If we have reciprocal tariffs with the United States, and that figure is zero, it isn't 10%," Albanese said when pressed about whether Australia could secure better terms than other allies.

The Prime Minister emphasized his government would continue advocating for tariff removal while Foreign Minister Penny Wong prepares for discussions with US officials this week.

"Penny Wong will be arguing the case," Albanese said. "She, of course, is not the economic minister. She's the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and I'm sure that she will largely be talking about international relations and the role of both the US and Australia in world affairs."

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