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During his first presidential term, Trump exempted Australia from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium. Not this time around. The White House announced that the previously planned 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminium products into the U.S. from all countries would take effect on Wednesday, 12.03.2025.

Anthony Albanese said the decision by the Trump administration was "entirely unjustified ... and against the spirit of our two nations' enduring friendship and fundamentally at odds with the benefit of our economic partnership."

However, he said imposing reciprocal tariffs on the U.S. would only raise prices for Australian consumers and spur inflation.

That’s only partly true. It could also dissuade Australian consumers from buying US products to which we apply tariffs. Why not apply them to products we would be better off not consuming, such as soft drinks for example ?

Today, the US has unilaterally decided to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium. Tomorrow, it could decide to impose similar tariffs on other products. For that reason alone, we should reciprocate in like fashion as a dissuasive measure.

It is important that the principles of fair trade be respected — especially among friendly nations.

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If Australians were serious about inflation they wouldn't so insanely overpay bureaucrats !

Unfortunately Trump shows his true colours, as the decaying American economy and its ravenous desire to consume the worlds diminishing resources (5% of the worlds population, Americans consume 25% of its resources), Trumps action in creating a tariff war with the rest of the world shows how desperate America is.

There are conservative and right wing radical elements in Australia who support Trumps actions at the expense of Australia. If Dutton and the Noalition are elected then they will show their true colours, and roll over and allow America to do to Australia, what it has been doing to most of the world for the past 80 years.

Albo throws billions of dollars at Whyalla factories to save Australian steel jobs (and maybe one or two ALP seats). Yeh shout the usual suspects. All praise to Albo - genuflect, swoon.

Trump adopts policies to save the US steel jobs. Boo say the usual suspects - down with Trump.

Trump was elected to save the jobs of US citizens. Some seem surprised to hear that!!.

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It is said, and no one seems to be denying it, that when we got an exemption last time around it was based on a promise to not abuse it by significantly increasing our exports of aluminium to the US. Once Trump was out we ignored that promised and ramped up our exports under the dumb Biden kleptocracy.

And now we seem surprised that Trump doesn't want to play that game again.

Of course a better negotiator than the Albo/Rudd clown show might have been able to show genuine contrition and perhaps avoided this problem... but alas it was beyond these two.

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"Why not apply them to products we would be better off not consuming, such as soft drinks for example ?"

In 2023, total US soft drink exports to Australia was valued at $2.3 million. Yeah, let's put a tariff on that huge market (!!). The US will be begging for mercy before ya know it. Struth.

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" If Dutton and the Noalition are elected then they will show their true colours, and roll over "

Whereas the ALP would never roll over....oh wait - they just did.

I agree with Jacqui Lambie, and Australia should kick the American guttersnipes out of the country, close down Pine Gap, get those American warmongers out of Northern Australia. They can take that ridiculous AUKUS nonsense with them, while we tear up that ANZUS rubbish at the same time! Australia should seek to be a non-aligned nation fostering good relations with ALL other nations, particularly in the Indo/Pacific region.

Lambie said; "Albanese should boot American intelligence and military personnel out of the country to send a clear message to Donald Trump that “we’re not going to put up with [his] nonsense”. Good onya' Jacqui!

p/s Disloyal Trumpsters here, and there are many, agree mhaze, selling out Australia, they should be put on trial for treason or mutiny or whatever the appropriate Anti-Australian charge should be! I say hang them from the yardarm, although I'm against capital punishment we can hang them by their little pinkies for a week and then cut them down.

Lambie seems like a windsock to me, a few days back she was carrying on about supporting Ukraine and sending more weapons.

Hi AC,

JL is some kind of female version of the 'Mad Katter', just a degree or two more sensible, but that's no recommendation as she hails from Tasmania. Like Bob, she has been known to make a sensible comment on something or other during one of her rare but truly infrequent lucid moments. Most of the time, like Bob, she is up her tree singing 'Yankee Doodle Dany', but we should not hold that against her. Like Bob she is "good value" but unfortunately like the rest of us, insane most of the time. Don't forget she did start off as a Fat Clive convert when she first entered politics. To her credit she woke up to the complete craziness of Fat Clive and his crazy band, and resigned from the Mad Hatters tea "party".

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Dear mhaze,

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You wrote :

« In 2023, total US soft drink exports to Australia was valued at $2.3 million. Yeah, let's put a tariff on that huge market (!!). The US will be begging for mercy before ya know it. Struth. »
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You did not indicate the source of your information, mhaze. Would you please do so ?

According to the IndexBox market intelligence platform, Australia’s imports of soft drinks stood at US $458 million in 2024, of which US $44 million was from the United States.

That's quite different from the AUD 2.3 million you indicate.

In value terms, according to the IndexBox market intelligence platform, sugary soft drinks represented 80% of imports.

Here is a link to the source :

http://www.indexbox.io/blog/soft-drink-australia-market-overview-2024-1/
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As I indicated in my previous post, I suggested that we reciprocate and align with the US by placing a 25% tariff on soft drinks, as it would be better for our health if, as a result, we reduced our consumption of soft drinks.

Trump is reported to be addicted to Diet Coke, and though he became aware of the alleged health risks over a decade ago, he refused to stop drinking it.

In October 2012, he tweeted that he’s “never seen a thin person drinking Diet Coke.”

He later revealed that he received some backlash from the Coke brigade for suggesting that the sugar-free drink makes people fat, stating that the company was “not happy” with him.

“I’ll still keep drinking that garbage,’’ he reassured voters before celebrating his endorsement as Republican nominee, with a bottle of Diet Coke.

That seems to indicate that he should be quite sensitive to Australia retaliating with a 25% tariff on his favourite beverage.

Don't you think ?

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Hi BP,

"Trump is reported to be addicted to Diet Coke, and though he became aware of the alleged health risks over a decade ago, he refused to stop drinking it."

A health risk you say, so lets send the Dangerous Doctor Donald a couple of complementary pallets so he can drink to his hearts content. BTW DDD told people to drink Pine-O-Clean diso during Covid, so Diet Coke can't be too bad.

BTW; 84% of Australians disapprove of Donald Trump and even more disapprove of Elon Musk. That does not include the sycophantic Trumpsters on this Forum, mhaze, ttbn, Indy etc.

"That seems to indicate that he should be quite sensitive to Australia retaliating with a 25% tariff on his favourite beverage. Don't you think ?"

I don't think there's very much thinking going on here.

Australia doesn't import Diet Coke or any other Coca Cola beverage for that matter. They are made here in Sydney. But what have the facts got to do with it, heh?

So putting a tariff on imported Diet Coke would be a useful as putting a tariff on imported Akubras. Struth.

What I find fascinating as how easy it is to get the sheeple to rally around the flag on issues like this. People who would reject nationalism let alone jingoism suddenly become nationalists to a man. Manipulating the population is so easy.

It wasn't all that long ago that China put all sorts of tariffs and quotes on Australian products. Hands up all those who remember the likes of Paul demanding reciprocal attacks. Me either.

But that's different because.... shut up.

Un-Australian Trumpster,

I make allowance for your increasing dementia syndrome, but I suppose at the age of 97 it is to be expected, such a pity you're a sufferer, but that's life!

"It wasn't all that long ago that China put all sorts of tariffs and quotes on Australian products. Hands up all those who remember the likes of Paul demanding reciprocal attacks. Me either."

Yes, given your mental state you wouldn't remember me criticizing Chinese tariffs on Australian goods, but I did.

The poor Un-Australian Trumpster has got it wrong again;

"The Coca-Cola Company produces concentrate, ( which is then sold to licensed Coca-Cola bottlers throughout the world. The bottlers, who hold exclusive territory contracts with the company, produce the finished product in cans and bottles from the concentrate, in combination with filtered water and sweeteners. A typical 12-US-fluid-ounce (350 ml) can contains 38 grams (1.3 oz) of sugar (usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup in North America). The bottlers then sell, distribute, and merchandise Coca-Cola to retail stores, restaurants, and vending machines throughout the world. The Coca-Cola Company also sells concentrate for soda fountains of major restaurants and foodservice distributors."

"Coca-Cola concentrate, the core flavoring ingredient for the beverage, is produced by the Stepan Company in Maywood, New Jersey, a company authorized by the US government to import and process coca leaves."

Yep, The Coca-Cola Company very carefully guards its concentrate formula.

"I make allowance for your increasing dementia syndrome, but I suppose at the age of 97 it is to be expected, such a pity you're a sufferer, but that's life!"

very mature!!

"you wouldn't remember me criticizing Chinese tariffs on Australian goods, but I did."

I checked your posts. You never once called for reciprocal tariffs against China. We all know why.

"Yep, The Coca-Cola Company very carefully guards its concentrate formula."

A round about way for Paul to admit we don't import Diet Coke.

Un-Australian Trumpster,

"Paul demanding reciprocal attacks" No, I'm not in favour of tit-for-tat tariffs, not now, not when China engaged in such nonsense, I'm more in favour of the Jacqui Lambie approach of kicking the bastards out.

As Un-Australian as you are, you favour Dangerous Doctor Donald hurting the Australian economy, and putting Australian out of work. True?

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Dear mhze,

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You wrote :

« Australia doesn't import Diet Coke or any other Coca-Cola beverage for that matter. They are made here in Sydney. But what have the facts got to do with it, heh? »
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Australia doesn’t import the bottles or the water or the sugar. The Coca-Cola plant in Sydney buys all that in Australia. It only imports the condensed syrup from Coca-Cola in Atlanta. It is an independent Australian company (Coca-Cola US is a one-third shareholder). The Australian company operates on a franchise from Coca-Cola US.

Coca-Cola US is a remarkably well-structured and well-managed company. It is an extremely effective marketing operation with a highly successful product whose recipe is a closely guarded secret. The secret is so closely guarded that only three or four bottling plants in the world can produce the concentrated syrup.

Over 200 bottling partners across 950 production facilities make up the Coca‑Cola system. However, the Coca-Cola Company does not own, manage or control most local bottling companies around the world.

If we were to place a 25% tariff on soft drinks imported to Australia, it would apply to the imported condensed syrup of Coca-Cola.

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"If we were to place a 25% tariff on soft drinks imported to Australia, it would apply to the imported condensed syrup of Coca-Cola."

Oh good, so your plan is to increase the costs of manufacturing Coke products in Australia by increasing the costs of the syrup.

So presumably, that will increase the price of the final product which you earlier seemed to think was a good thing.

So higher price means less product sold. So less aluminium cans needed and less therefore produced.

So your plan, such as it is, is to show support for the Australian aluminium producers by forcing a reduction in the demand for their product!!

Great plan.

Trump Derangement Syndrome leads lots of people down the garden path. But be careful Banjo, you could end up as delusional as Paul who has now thrown his lot in with the harpy from Tassie. Although 'harpy' is probably unfair - she would just come out against motherhood if she thought it'd get her a bit of air-time.

That's right Un-Australian Trumpster, tit-for-tat tariffs can have unintended consequences. The American auto industry is about to find that out with YOUR MAN TRUMPS ridiculous tariffs.

I can only assume as a sycophantic Trumpster who agrees with everything the Orange Man does you agree with his tariffs destroying Australian jobs.

" tit-for-tat tariffs can have unintended consequences. "

If you know they are going to happen, then they're not really unintended, are they? You guys want to disadvantage Australian aluminium producers in a fit of childish pique.

" you agree with his tariffs destroying Australian jobs."

But but but....you're the one calling for policies that would destroy Aussie jobs.

Its not a question of my agreeing with Trump's policies as regards Australian but understanding Trump's policies as regards the USA. Again, and this seems to be very difficult for you to understand, Trump was elected to look after US worker's jobs.

Its all very well for you to let your inner nationalist fanatic loose and adopt an Australia uber alles approach. But cooler heads will prevail. Australia ripped the US off after Trump was too kind in 2019 and is now paying the price for that - FAFO.

Un-Australian Trumpster,

Lying again, "you're (paul 1405) the one calling for policies that would destroy Aussie jobs." I have said I don't agree with tit-for-tat tariffs. Unlike you who favours America over Australia, I'm a believer in free trade. Australia has a free trade agreement with US, but Trump doesn't respect that.

Tariffs on imports simply makes local industry even more inefficient, forcing up prices, and reducing demand. China is simply smacking Americas arse on a whole economic front, and the Americans can't cop the slow decline of their inefficient industries.

If nothing else, at least Trump exposes the stupid among us & most of them portray themselves as switched-on thinkers which they're clearly not since they started denouncing policies they have no clue of !
Just keep an eye on them when these policies start delivering dividends. These same people will expose their hypocrisy all over again !

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Dear mhze,

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You wrote :

« Oh good, so your plan is to increase the costs of manufacturing Coke products in Australia by increasing the costs of the syrup. »
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I don’t have a plan, mhaze, I have an opinion.

My opinion is, as I explained earlier :

“Today, the US has unilaterally decided to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium. Tomorrow, it could decide to impose similar tariffs on other products. For that reason alone, we should reciprocate in like fashion as a dissuasive measure. It is important that the principles of fair trade be respected — especially among friendly nations”.

I suggested that we reciprocate and align with the US by placing a 25% tariff on soft drinks, as it would be better for our health if, as a result, we reduced our consumption of soft drinks.

Especially since Trump is reported to be addicted to Diet Coke.

For that reason, he should be quite sensitive to Australia retaliating with a 25% tariff on his favourite beverage.

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"I don’t have a plan, mhaze, I have an opinion."

Oh good. So your OPINION is that we should further punish the aluminium industry by placing a tariff on US soft drink syrup imports!!

The claim is that the US tariffs will cause job loses in the Australian aluminium industry and your OPINION is that we should protest by increasing those job loses!!

Banjo Paterson & maze,
Consider long-term vision instead of immediate gratification for a few hangers-on !

"Consider long-term vision instead of immediate gratification for a few hangers-on !"

Consider writing something that's even marginally intelligible.

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Dear Indyvidual,

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You wrote :

« Consider long-term vision instead of immediate gratification for a few hangers-on ! »
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That’s an interesting suggestion, Indyvidual, or should I say challenge ?

My “long-term” view is that I see Trump deconstructing the US through a process of entropy, installing a state of increased disorder, collapse and chaos, like a tyre deflating or ice cream melting – its energy dispersing and disappearing.

I see the US, once a vibrant, dynamic, and open system, being transformed into a closed system (in thermodynamics, a region that is isolated from its surroundings by a boundary that admits no transfer of matter or energy across it).

In my view, Trump is not making America “great” again. He is making America “break” and “broke” again !

Unless – and I don’t rule it out – there’s a rude awakening that jolts people to their senses and produces a radical change of direction – at 180 degrees !

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Trumpster,

Me thinks you're in for a double whammy, not only a 25% tariff on ya coke, but a 25% tariff on bourbon as well. There goes ya bottle of JD a day! If thy wack a 25% tariff on ya "Ice" as well, what can I say, it looks like its back to the metho and boot polish for YOU! Trumpster just asking, how many cartons of Diet Coke do you drink a day?

BTW folks, just to let you know Aldi home brand "Coke" is just as good as the American rubbish and less than half the price, tariff or no tariff.

So few people in Australia actually understand what's happening in the US with the Trump revolution. People who would normally think of themselves as supporters of the working class, turning their back on the working class because of their TDS.

Tariffs are a tool to re-balance a failed global economic system to the benefit of the workers who were abandoned by the globalists in the 1990s.

A left wing MAGA supporter explains....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjspMzkHeJ4

maze,
Short term gain leads to long term loss vs short term loss leading to low term gain ! Unions here advocate the former for workers & the latter for shareholders & other non-productive manipulators.

Indy,

"non-productive manipulators" that's YOU, with your snout firmly in the non-productive aged welfare trough. How have YOU managed to manipulate aged welfare for all these years? YOU must be a master manipulator, and here I am, paying tax to fill the trough! BTW, in a couple of days more taxpayer funded "la graisse" is coming your way! The answer is simple, save $40 billion pa, just by introducing a Seniors National Service for the languorous such as yourself. Agree?