Australia seeks exemption from US tariffs

A delegation of Australia's largest pension funds will also meet with US government officials during the four-day summit to highlight the importance of Australia's investments in the US economy. Fund managers argue that Australia's economic contributions to the US make a strong case for exempting Australia from tariffs.
Australia's Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd and Consul General Heather Ridout will also attend the summit, which will include talks on lifting tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Trump had previously said he would “greatly consider” exempting Australia from the tariff increases, but no final decision had yet been made.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton also called on the US administration to take steps in favor of Australia on tariffs, arguing that a contrary decision would damage relations between the two countries. “Steel and aluminum tariffs against Australia are not justified because we have a trade surplus,” Dutton said.
While it is known that Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister of the time during Trump's first term, successfully negotiated an exemption from steel and aluminum tariffs, it is a matter of curiosity whether Australia will be able to obtain a similar exemption this time.