Albanese calls US tariffs over forced labor 'unjustified'

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly condemned proposed U.S. tariffs, calling them "unjustified." The tariffs, reportedly under consideration by the Trump administration, target imports from various countries, including Australia, due to insufficient measures against forced labor.

Albanese asserted that Australia possesses some of the world's most advanced legislation to combat forced labor and modern slavery. He conveyed to Washington that any tariffs on Australian exports would contravene the free trade agreement between the two nations and are without merit. He emphasized that U.S. arguments do not align with Australia's regulatory reality.

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Australia has solid, comprehensive, and world-leading legislation to address forced labor and modern slavery.

The prime minister framed the dispute as a divergence in international trade perspectives. He suggested the current U.S. administration has moved away from decades of free trade consensus, favoring tariffs for national economic benefit, a stance Canberra rejects. The proposed U.S. tariffs include a 12.5% rate for 46 countries, including Australia, China, and Japan, an increase from a previous 10% temporary tariff.

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any tariff against Australian exports violates the free trade agreement between the two countries and lacks foundation.