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Albanese aims to scale trade walls after Trump triumph

Anthony Albanese wants more trade deals as his talks with Donald Trump begin paying dividends. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

By Grace Crivellaro in Canberra

Anthony Albanese will use a major speech to push Australia’s case on international trade after securing several significant breakthroughs.

The prime minister’s pitch follows the abolition of US tariffs on Australian beef and other agricultural exports, as well as key security and defence agreements inked with near neighbours.

“Geographically centred in this region, we are uniquely placed to further our shared interests as well as to demonstrate solutions and strategies to solve shared problems,” Mr Albanese will say, according to an advanced copy of his remarks.

“Perhaps now more than ever that is the role of a middle power.”

Mr Albanese highlights the enduring value of APEC, a forum of 21 member economies that promotes free trade and investment across the Asia-Pacific region.

The forum accounts for more than 60 per cent of global GDP and 75 per cent of Australia’s trade.

“In an economy like ours, where one-in-four Australian jobs depends on trade, the impact of that market and those supply chains is enormous,” Mr Albanese will tell an audience in Melbourne on Monday.

Australia and Indonesia have locked in a treaty after months of negotiation, committing both countries to conduct routine consultations on security issues.

The prime minister’s speech also touches on a pact with Papua New Guinea, elevating its relationship with Australia to the level of alliances with New Zealand and the United States.

Australia’s political leaders have celebrated the lifting of US tariffs on beef and other agricultural goods, along with a major agreement on critical minerals.

Mr Albanese’s team will soon shift its focus to eliminating all remaining trade barriers with the US.

The prime minister also has his sights on advancements in clean energy, artificial intelligence and a broader evolution in global trade.

“All of these represent Australian challenges and Australian opportunities. But not uniquely so,” he will say.

“They are global in scale and they connect us all. That is why we cannot find our prosperity – or our place in the world – by only looking inward.”

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One Response to Albanese aims to scale trade walls after Trump triumph

Curious Canberran says: 17 November 2025 at 3:37 pm

The title says “Albanese aims to scale trade walls after Trump triumph” – what triumph??
Trump dropped the 10% tariff on some goods here (beef included), as his trade war is back firing.
Albo isn’t responsible for achieving a bargain for Australia – it is a desperation move by Trump to lower groceries
prices in the US.
It was also seen in other countries (Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador), for coffee, orange juice, etc…
Trump will claim this is a ‘friendly’ move to secure heavy-metals exports from Australia.
Those heavy-metals should be refined and processed here – not shipped out raw.
We should take Canada’s lead and start forging stronger trade relationships with others and reduce our massive
dependence on the US.
This is a 10-20yr plan that should start now.

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