Australia Faces US Tariffs After Confirmed Trump-Rudd Meeting

In January 2025, Australia's Ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, held a private meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Details of the meeting remain sparse, with calls from Australian opposition figures for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to secure a direct meeting with President Trump amid mounting trade tensions. The meeting comes as the US threatens significant tariffs on Australian exports, including steel, aluminium, copper, and pharmaceuticals, potentially impacting Australia's economy. Albanese has stated that key Australian policies such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Media Bargaining Code are non-negotiable in trade discussions. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed Rudd's ongoing professional relationships with senior US administration officials but has not disclosed the substance of the talks. Opposition politicians continue to push for transparency regarding the meeting's content, emphasizing the need for Albanese to engage directly with President Trump to address these critical trade issues.