Australia Delays Tech Levy as Trump Tariff Threat Looms

The Albanese government has paused its news bargaining incentive to avoid potential U.S. trade retaliation under President Trump’s new tariffs.

The Albanese government has delayed its proposed news bargaining incentive, which would charge tech platforms for not paying Australian publishers for news content.
The decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, including those from Australia, with no exemption yet secured.
The news bargaining incentive aims to address shortcomings of the 2021 media bargaining code, which allowed platforms to avoid payments by removing news content.
Tech giants like Meta and Google have criticized the proposal, with Meta previously refusing to renew agreements with Australian publishers and calling the initiative a targeted tax.
Former Prime Minister and current U.S. Ambassador Kevin Rudd is playing a key role in navigating tensions with the U.S., while local media executives express concern over the policy’s uncertain future.