An updated list of grievances published by the United States trade office has set its sights on Australia’s pharmaceutical sector, biosecurity protections and laws requiring the social media giants to pay for news.
But the prime minister has vowed none will be touched “on my watch”, as the federal government toughens its language against the Trump administration.
The annual US Foreign Trade Barriers report offers an itemised list of issues America believes are affecting its exports, from Algeria to Vietnam and almost everyone in-between.
But with US President Donald Trump due to announce a fresh round of tariffs on April 2, dubbed “liberation day”, the report highlights where the administration might seek to retaliate.
US critical of Australian biosecurity laws
The report names biosecurity “barriers” to US beef, pork, poultry, apples and pears, saying the US “continues to seek full market access” for fresh produce to be exported.
Australia has particularly strict biosecurity laws to protect native wildlife that is vulnerable to foreign diseases that have largely been kept from Australian shores.
For example, Australia prohibits US apples and pears based on concerns of several pests, such as the bacterial disease fire blight — which the report acknowledges, and contests.
The trade report again raises concerns over Australia’s pharmaceutical laws, which the US pharma industry has long opposed.
And it raises the News Media Bargaining Code, legislated under the former Morrison government, which requires social media giants to support news organisations in recognition of the benefits they receive from news content hosted on their platforms.
In a toughening of Australia’s stance on the coming tariffs, Mr Albanese repeated on Tuesday morning that Australia would not weaken its laws to appease the US.
“The report has three things that are of concern, at least, to Australia: one is the news bargaining code, the second is pharmaceuticals and the third is biosecurity,” Mr Albanese said.
“Those issues are not up for negotiation.
“Not on my watch. We will negotiate sensibly but we won’t undermine the biosecurity system.”
Government prepared to fail to win exemption
Australia is continuing to negotiate with the United States in an attempt to secure exemptions from any incoming tariffs, arguing that because Australia imports more than it exports to the US, it should not be penalised.
However, that trade surplus argument was not enough to win exemptions from tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by Mr Trump last month, and the government is aware this argument might fail again.
But Australian negotiators are unwilling to offer any major concessions in order to strike a “deal” with Mr Trump, who has openly called for foreign nations to make offerings that would benefit the US in order to secure exemptions.
Mr Albanese said today that weakening Australian laws to escape tariffs estimated to have a minor direct impact to the economy would be like “cutting off our own nose”.
Shadow Trade Minister Kevin Hogan said the Coalition expected the government to secure exemptions.
“With the way some of the officials are talking in the US, that’s what we’re hoping for … [But] it does appear the PM is hiding behind officials,” he said.
The Coalition maintains that Mr Albanese should have sought to meet with Mr Trump in person to put Australia’s case.
