Industry Minister Ed Husic has referred to Donald Trump’s tariffs on aluminum and steel as a “dog act,” as Australian legislators continue to be shocked by the decision not to grant the country an exemption. The Trump administration announced their refusal to grant Australia’s request for an exemption on the tariffs, which went into effect on Wednesday afternoon, local time. These tariffs will impose a 25% tax on all steel and aluminum exports to the United States.

Donald Trump had previously promised the Australian Prime Minister Ante Albanese “great consideration” for an exemption, despite the White House trade adviser, Peter Navarro, accusing Australia of “dumping” its steel and aluminum into the US. On Wednesday, Albanese characterized the decision not to grant an exemption as “not a friendly act” and referred to the tariffs as “unjustified.” However, Ed Husic took the criticism further, pointing out the long-standing friendship between Australia and the US, stating that Australians have fought alongside Americans over the years.

The prime minister and other government officials, together with the opposition, engaged in a heated debate over the tariffs throughout the day. The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, claimed the tariffs represented a failure by the Albanese government for not being able to secure a conversation with Trump. In response, Albanese defended his government’s efforts and accused Dutton of prioritizing his political interests over the country’s.

Other political figures, including independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, have urged Australia to stand up to Trump, warning that the United States is no longer a reliable ally under his leadership. The ongoing tensions highlight the significant implications these tariffs will have on Australia and its relationship with the United States.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/12/ed-husic-australian-mp-donald-trump-tariffs-dog-act