Overview

• Donald Trump has enacted a 10% baseline tariff on Australian imports, citing incorrect claims about Australian tariffs on US goods.
• Australia has opted against retaliatory tariffs, focusing on supporting affected industries through measures like the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.
• Experts and officials in Australia are increasingly questioning the reliability of the US as an ally, advocating for greater self-reliance in defense and economic policy.
• Ongoing discussions include the potential removal of Chinese ownership of the Port of Darwin to address US security concerns and broader strategic shifts in Australia's foreign policy.
• The collapse of the global rules-based order is seen as accelerating, with experts warning of long-term economic and geopolitical instability under Trump's leadership.