Australian News Group reported on July 6 that Anthony Albanese admitted he does not expect the United States to grant tariff exemptions after the upcoming agreement deadline, which is equivalent to raising a white flag to Washington.

The 90-day freeze on the so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs by US President Donald Trump will expire next Wednesday.

Australian goods generally face a 10% tariff, with steel and aluminum products facing as high as 50%.

(Photo source: Australian News Group)

The Prime Minister said this week at a summit organized by Australian News Group that he does not expect the situation to change.

Kevin Hogan, the opposition's trade spokesperson, told Sky News on Sunday that he did not understand why the Prime Minister would so quickly predict the US decision.

Hogan said: "We have seen some countries receiving exemptions, and we know that the UK has received some exemptions on steel and aluminum tariffs - remember, my steel and aluminum tariffs have already risen to 50%, not 10%."

"Some countries have received exemptions... Mexico has received some exemptions, and Canada also received some exemptions from the initial tariffs."

"So some countries have contacted the US President and negotiated, but we have not."

Kevin Hogan (Photo source: Australian News Group)

So far, only the UK and Vietnam have reached trade agreements within the 90-day suspension period, but neither country has had their tariffs fully canceled.

EU officials stated this week that trade negotiations have broken down, and they are now trying to maintain the status quo to gain more negotiation time.

India also failed to reach an agreement with the US.

Hogan blamed Albanese for not meeting with the US President, despite many country leaders having met with Trump and still facing higher tariffs.

Hogan said: "Our Prime Minister could not guarantee a face-to-face meeting, which is embarrassing."

"Initially, this did not seem to be his priority - now he seems difficult to arrange a meeting."

"Considering the importance of this country, not just in our economic relations, but also in national security relations... the leaders of the two countries have no dialogue, and Albanese also failed to ensure this, which is indeed embarrassing."

Irrelevant image (Photo source: Internet)

Albanese has had multiple phone calls with Trump, including after the Labor Party won a decisive victory in the federal election.

At the summit on Friday, Albanese reiterated the government's position that the US tariffs were a "economic self-harm," and continued to argue for Australia's exemption.

He said: "We will continue to maintain contact with our American friends, but they hold a different position on the tariff issue."

"If you look at the impact so far, our beef exports are increasing, and we have also seen increases in exports of a series of other products. The export of lamb has slightly decreased, but steel and aluminum have been affected, but the impact is not significant."

"Our current situation is that July 9 will not have a real impact on us, because it is the problem faced by other countries whose rates will suddenly increase overnight."

Trump had previously included Australia in the full tariff list, despite previously telling Albanese that Canberra's exemption was "under consideration."

When asked about interactions with Trump, Albanese said they "did have constructive discussions," but "President Trump... made decisions consistent with his public statements."

"He did say that, but he also said 'tariff' is one of the most beautiful words in English," he said.

"But we have a different view. This word may not even be in my top ten words, let alone among my favorite million words."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524117480726479414/

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