POLITICS

Australia to press Washington over new US tariffs

PUBLISHED Jul 26, 2026, 6:59 AM ET

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Australia – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will directly raise new US tariffs with President Donald Trump, describing the measures as unjustified and signaling that Canberra views the issue as a priority in the bilateral relationship. Speaking on ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday, Albanese said he would “absolutely” bring up the tariffs with Trump after Washington announced a 12.5% levy last week. The Trump administration says the new tariff follows what it called an investigation into alleged failures by about 60 economies to prevent forced labor in supply chains, framing the measure as part of a broader response to labor rights concerns. Albanese indicated that Australia is concerned about the implications of the levy for its exporters and for the fairness of US trade actions toward partners that see themselves as complying with international labor standards. He said he intends to seek clarification from Trump on how the tariff will be applied, as well as to advocate for relief for affected Australian exports. Albanese’s comments underscore rising tensions over trade and labor issues between Washington and a number of economies named in the US investigation, and highlight his attempt to protect Australian trade interests while maintaining a close security and economic partnership with the United States.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Last week, Washington announces 12.5% levy
Last week, US cites forced labor concerns
Last week, about 60 economies identified
Sunday, Albanese appears on ABC Insiders
Sunday, Albanese calls new tariffs unjustified
Sunday, prime minister vows to raise tariffs
Upcoming, Albanese expected to contact Trump

News Intelligence

These new tariffs could affect your wallet. If you buy goods from Australia, prices may rise. That's because tariffs often lead to higher costs for exporters, which can trickle down to consumers. Keep an eye on any price changes for Australian products.