Former Nationals MP weighs in on Australia-US relationship amid Trump tariffs

Former Howard Government Minister Peter McGauran has commented on the future of Australia's relationship with the US following President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs. It was revealed on Thursday that Australia would not be given an exemption to the 25 per cent steel and aluminium tariffs imposed by the new United States President. Speaking to Sky News Australia, McGauran acknowledged that there is short-term disappointment, anger, and frustration among Australians regarding the Trump tariffs, but expressed confidence that the alliance will endure in the long term. “We've been great friends, great friends in the United States,” Mr McGauran said. “But regardless of that, all through the history of the last 50 years, they have subsidised their farmers, they've had tariffs on their farmers, they've had non-tariff trade barriers, and that's why we needed a free trade agreement, which after much painstaking, prolonged negotiation we got in 2005. “The biggest issue here is to what extent will that free trade agreement protect us and safeguard our interests in the face of Trump's use of tariffs. And that's what we've got to concentrate on.”