Overview

• The US trade office's Foreign Trade Barriers report criticizes Australia's biosecurity laws, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and News Media Bargaining Code as trade barriers.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared these domestic policies non-negotiable, emphasizing their importance to Australia's national interests.
• President Trump is expected to announce new tariffs on April 2, targeting nations with significant trade imbalances, including Australia.
• Australian officials are negotiating for tariff exemptions but remain unwilling to offer concessions that would weaken national policies.
• The escalating trade tensions highlight a broader strain in US-Australia relations and the global impact of Trump's aggressive tariff strategy.