Democrat Joe Courtney labels Trump’s steel, aluminium tariffs an ‘insult’ to Australia

A US Congressman has rushed to the defence of Australia in the face of Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, calling them “completely needless” and an “insult”.

Democrat Joe Courtney, who is the co-chair of the Congressional AUKUS Working Group, ripped into the tariff plan during a speech to Congress at the Capitol on Monday local time, saying the US needs Australia’s support to rebalance security in the Indo-Pacific.

He said Defence Minister Richard Marles was in Washington last week handing over the first payment in the AUKUS submarine deal committing $500m.

“Two days later what do we see? Now a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum products coming from Australia into the US at a time when we have a surplus with Australia,” he said. “Australia is a key strategic ally for our country. They are positioned in the Indo-Pacific at a place where, again, tensions are sky high,” Mr Courtney said.

“Instead, what we’re seeing is a completely needless, almost insult to the people of Australia by raising tariffs of Australian products coming into this country.”

Mr Trump is due to speak with Anthony Albanese on Tuesday morning, with the Prime Minister expected to plead the case for Australia to be from tariffs.

The President is expected to sign a further tranche of executive orders in the Oval Office within hours, however, it is unclear if the metals tariffs will be included.

During his first four-year term from 2017, Trump imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, however, Australia negotiated an exemption.

Mr Courtney pointed out the US economy has a trade surplus with Australia, exporting more into Australia than we export back.

“They have been a signatory with a free trade agreement (with America) with no tariffs.”

“Our alliance between our two countries, going back to World War One, is probably the most deep and strong of any other nation in the world.”

Mr Courtney said that “by all the measurements that President Trump talks about trade issues – that we’re being ripped off by other countries – in this case, every, every one of those arguments fails.”

“We will do everything we can to make sure that this administration changes course and treats our friends and our allies with the respect that they deserve.”