Australia’s response to Donald Trump’s tariff announcement must prioritise protecting and growing local jobs. Australian Unions welcome the Federal Government’s worker-focused response to the introduction of new global tariffs by the U.S. Trump Administration.
The measures Prime Minister Albanese announced today highlight the importance of protecting workers’ livelihoods amid global uncertainty.
The five-point plan supports Australian jobs, industries, and consumers with key measures to strengthen our anti-dumping regime and provide additional support to sectors affected by the new tariffs. The plan also includes important measures to increase government purchasing of Australian products and companies through procurement, strengthening our anti-dumping regime and extending support to sectors affected by the new tariffs.
Measures include a ‘Buy Australia’ government procurement strategy to preference Australian businesses, $50 million for affected sectors to expand into new markets, $1 billion in zero-interest loans to assist industries to access new markets, and the establishment of a strategic reserve for critical minerals.
Unions also support the government’s strengthening of Australia’s anti-dumping system to protect local industries from unfair competition.
Quotes attributable to ACTU President Michele O’Neil:
“Australian workers know the value of sticking together, so today the union movement stands with our manufacturers, farmers and producers hit with the United States’ unfair and underserved tariffs.
“Australian Unions welcome the Albanese Government’s strong focus on protecting Australian jobs during global uncertainty.
“Only one side of Australian politics has a plan for Australian jobs and wages. The National Reconstruction Fund and Future Made in Australia provide a crucial buffer against Donald Trump’s tariffs. Coalition Leader Peter Dutton’s promise to abandon these investments puts the jobs and future livelihoods of working people at risk.
“Working with unions to navigate these international trade challenges will be particularly important to protecting Australia’s domestic and international interests going forward.”
