Trade Minister Don Farrell is speaking in Adelaide, where he revealed his American counterpart, Howard Lutnik, has confirmed Australia’s tariff rate would remain at 10 per cent.
Mr Lutnik had said “that there had been some pressure on the American system for an increase”, but Mr Trump decided to maintain the 10 per cent he imposed in April.
“I think this is a vindication for the Albanese Government and particularly the Prime Minister in the cool and calm way that we have conducted diplomacy with the United States,” Senator Farrell said.
“I am hopeful this is the end of the matter now… and that our producers, our winemakers, can get back to a normal relationship with the United States where we don’t have to worry about changes in tariff rates.”
He said Australia will continue to press for the full removal of tariffs on its products in light of the 20-year-old free trade deal with the US and trade surplus.