Labour: Turnbull must call Trump over trade

AUSTRALIA: Labor is demanding Malcolm Turnbull pick up the phone to US President Donald Trump to sort out whether Australian products will be exempt from his hefty tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Trump has announced tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium entering the US.

Australia, Canada, European nations and other allies were hoping to be exempt, but White House trade adviser Peter Navarro says the tariffs would be ‘‘across the board’’.

That’s despite the prime minister winning assurances about exemptions from the US at the G20 in Germany last year.

Labor trade spokesman Jason Clare noted Turnbull often talked about the perils of protectionism, including during his recent visit to Washington.

‘‘This is a real-life example of it and there’s an opportunity here for him to pick up the phone and speak directly to the president to seek an exemption for Australian companies,’’ Clare said yesterday.

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo spoke to his American counterpart on Saturday but said afterwards it appeared details of the new imposts were still being worked out and ultimately any exemptions would be a decision for Trump.

‘‘I’m not going to provide a commentary on the Trump administration’s trustworthiness,’’ Ciobo said yesterday.

Fellow cabinet minister Christopher Pyne said the government continued to work with the US on details of the arrangement.

Former Labor foreign minister Bob Carr believes despite the tough talk from the White House, Australia will wind up with some exemption.

‘‘Embassy sources assure me that when small print comes out Oz steel will be exempted from tariff hikes,’’ he tweeted, saying it would acknowledge the ‘‘100 years of mateship’’ celebrated during Turnbull’s visit and the ‘‘persuasive presence’’ of a huge Australian business delegation.