Trump says he’s working with Australia on tariff exemption

“Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don’t have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!” Trump tweeted. 

Spoke to PM @TurnbullMalcolm of Australia. He is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship. Working very quickly on a security agreement so we don’t have to impose steel or aluminum tariffs on our ally, the great nation of Australia!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2018

{mosads}

The president’s tweet came a day after he imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports. Those duties are set to take effect in the next few weeks.

Canada and Mexico have been exempted from the tariffs, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin held open the possibility on Friday of granting exemptions to other allies.

“My expectation is there may be some other countries [Trump] considers in the next two weeks,” Mnuchin said on CNBC.

The tariffs drew fire from many foreign governments, who warned that they could take retaliatory trade measures against the U.S. if Trump made good on his plan to levy the heavy duties on steel and aluminum.

Turnbull later tweeted that Trump was “confirming” Australia’s exemption.

Great discussion today on security and trade. Australia/US trade is fair & reciprocal & each of our nations has no closer ally. Thank you for confirming new tariffs won’t have to be imposed on Australian steel & aluminium – good for jobs in Australia and in US! https://t.co/9ZKMw5n1dZ

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) March 9, 2018

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop acknowledged on Friday that Australian officials had recruited the help of golf legend Greg Norman, a personal friend of Trump’s, to lobby the U.S. president on the tariffs, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

-Updated March 10 at 11:18 a.m.