The shadow treasurer, Chris Bowen, backed Ciobo on Monday, saying that Labor would support the government if it wanted to pursue retaliatory measures to protect Australia in the event of a trade war. The chief executive of the Australian Steel Institute, Tony Dixon, said it was too early to say how the government should respond because the details were unknown. After that meeting last year, Cormann said Australian officials had impressed upon Trump the importance of exempting Australia from any tariffs, and Trump had understood. “An announcement from the Trump administration that ensures Australia’s steel and aluminium exports to the United States can continue unaffected would be welcome and good for Australian and American jobs,” Ciobo said. “However, at this stage, Australia, like the rest of the world, is awaiting clarity to see how we will be affected.”

Source: The Guardian March 05, 2018 09:00 UTC