Albo says some things are not up for negotiation when it comes to the US and tariffs

Anthony Albanese insists his government will not buckle to pressure from the US over tariffs and will not negotiate over Australia’s biosecurity laws, news media and pharmaceutical benefits.

But the Prime Minister said he maintained a good relationship with US President Donald Trump and there were ongoing discussions between the two governments over the issue.

President Trump’s so-called Liberation Day, which is 2 April in the US (early Thursday morning Australian time), will unload a string of sweeping new tariffs affecting many nations.

Australia is expected to be one of the targets, having already been hit with tariffs on steel and aluminium.

On the federal election campaign trail on Tuesday (1 April), Mr Albanese was asked a number of times about the threat to further Australian products and intellectual property.

He said some things were just not up for discussion as far as he was concerned, and they included Australia’s News Bargaining Code, pharmaceuticals and biosecurity.

“Those issues are not up for negotiation with the Australian Government,” he said.

“We defend Australia’s interests. The idea that we would weaken biosecurity laws is really, as my mum would say, cutting off your nose to spite your face.

“We’ll negotiate sensibly, but we won’t undermine the biosecurity system.”

Mr Albanese said he wanted to see a “constructive outcome” from discussions between his government and the US Administration.

“I have a constructive relationship with the President, and I’ve had two very constructive phone calls with him,” he said.

The PM said the US President was “fully aware” of the Australian Government’s position.

“They have put positions to us; we have put positions to them,” Mr Albanese said.

“There is, at this point in time, a lot of cooperation and discussion, a lot of commonality going forward … I have spoken to him. I have put our position very clearly and consistently.

“He heard the message, and he has commented on it.”

Peter Dutton says he supports the Prime Minister’s position on the US tariffs but added that he would be better placed to negotiate with the US President.

The Opposition Leader also flagged what has been immediately criticised as Trump-like policy, suggesting he might gut the Federal Education Department if he is elected prime minister.

Mr Dutton would not rule out imposing funding conditions on the department to stamp out a “woke agenda” in schools.

He also said public service staff cuts would come from departments where he thinks there is a waste of government money.

“I support young Australians being able to think freely, being able to assess what is before them, and not being told and indoctrinated by something that is the agenda of others. That is the approach we would take,” the Opposition Leader said.

Labor and the Greens have condemned the move as straight out of the “Trump playbook” and a blatant copy of Elon Musk’s DOGE tactics.

Mr Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the US Education Department.

Back on tariffs, former Liberal Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull had a bit of advice to give both sides of politics while speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday.

He said they were all acting too weak on the issue.

Mr Turnbull all but begged Australian politicians to stand up for themselves and the nation when dealing with the US.

“My plea to Australian politicians is, get off your knees and stand up for Australia,” he said.

“Be as transactional with America as it is with us.

“Remember, in the imperial capital, they always regard deference as their due.

“Trying to get into a race of who can do the most sucking up, particularly with Mr Trump, as I know from direct experience, is not the way to advance your interests or your nation’s interests.”

As Prime Minister during Mr Trump’s first stint as President, Mr Turnbull successfully negotiated with the US President to honour an asylum seeker/immigration deal that had been struck with Barack Obama.