Australian PM says asked Trump for tariff exemption

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that he had a warm and productive conversation with US President Donald Trump during which he sought an exemption from tariffs imposed on Australia last month. The Australian leader informed journalists that he had asked the president to consider a full exemption, or at minimum, no increase in tariffs.

According to Albanese, Australia faced a 12.5% levy last month due to concerns about forced labor, joining 59 other countries affected. During the discussion, the US president agreed to consider exempting Australia from the tariff, Albanese stated. He further emphasized that Australia's friendship with the US should be taken into account in the decision.

Despite their opposing views on tariffs, both leaders discussed the progress in the Aukus security agreement, which aims to provide Australia with at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States within 15 years. Albanese also addressed the ongoing war in the Middle East, reiterating Australia's stance that Iran should not be permitted to possess nuclear weapons, and expressed hope for an end to the conflict.