Trump opens tariff door

Australia may get an exemption after intervention by golfer Norman

DONALD Trump has given Australia and other allies a chance to negotiate an exemption from steep steel and aluminium import tariffs that are set to start in a fortnight.

It came after golfing great Greg Norman, a close personal friend of President Trump, was called in to lobby for Australia to secure a “carve-out” from the new tariffs.

The US President singled out Australia yesterday as a “great country” and a “longterm partner” before officially announcing the tariffs would be implemented in just over two weeks.

He announced US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer would be negotiating with countries over the period on any exemptions, declaring there would be “great flexibility” and “fairness” for allies.

But he said foreign nations had “ravaged” the US steel industry for years.

“We have to protect and build our steel and aluminium industries, while at the same time showing great flexibility and co-operation toward those that are really great friends of ours, both on a trade basis and a military basis,” he said.

He singled out Canada and Mexico as the only countries currently that would be exempt while the US negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement with them.

But earlier he told reporters: “We have a very close relationship with Australia. We have a trade surplus with Australia. Great country. Long-term partner. We will be doing something with them.”

The Australian reports Norman was a signatory to a letter sent to Mr Trump on Wednesday urging him to consider defence ties and the size of the US trade surplus with Australia before making his final decision on imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop confirmed yesterday that Norman was called in to help lobby for an exemption for Australia.

Senior Turnbull Government ministers appear confident Australia will secure exemption from the tariffs next week.

Earlier this week, Ms Bishop said she did not expect any country to receive an exemption.

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo pledged Australia would leave “no stone unturned” in lobbying for the carve-out.