Australian PM Urges ‘Buy Local’ After US Slaps 25% Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on citizens Thursday to support local products in response to the US imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Labeling the move “entirely unjustified,” Albanese announced that the upcoming federal budget will include extra support for a “buy Australian” campaign, encouraging shoppers to prioritize domestically made goods. However, he avoided directly endorsing a boycott of US products, despite reports of similar actions in other countries.

Canberra had sought an exemption from the tariffs, similar to the one granted under former President Donald Trump, but negotiations have yet to succeed. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles called the tariffs “disappointing” and an “act of self-harm” for the US, yet ruled out retaliatory tariffs, arguing they would not serve Australia’s economic interests. The government remains committed to diplomatic efforts to secure a better trade arrangement with Washington.

Defending the tariffs, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick accused Australia of selling aluminum at below cost, insisting that the measures are necessary for national security. “We can’t be in a war and rely on steel and aluminum from some other country,” Lutnick said. The dispute marks another challenge in US-Australia trade relations, with tensions likely to persist as both sides navigate their economic priorities.