Australian PM Says President Trump's 10 Tariffs Are Unfounded, Not Actions From A Friend

JAKARTA - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the 10 percent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump against Canberra was an act "completely baseless."

"For Australia, this tariff is not something surprising, but let me emphasize, this tariff is completely groundless," Albanese was quoted yesterday via Sputnik-OANA, Thursday, April 3.

"President Trump calls it a reciprocal rate. If the rate is indeed reciprocal, then the rate should be zero, not 10 percent. This government tariff policy has no logical basis and is contrary to the principle of partnership between the two countries. This is not an action taken by a friend," Albanese continued.

The prime minister also added that his government would not take steps to apply the return rate. On the same day, Trump announced the application of reciprocal rates to imports from various countries.

The basic fee is set at 10 percent. However, according to Trump, the United States will impose a tariff of approximately half of the tariffs imposed by other countries on US goods.

Later, the White House ensured that the US would start imposing a 10 percent tariff on all foreign imports on April 5, 2025, while higher rates for countries with the largest trade deficit would take effect on April 9, 2025.