Andrew Clennell: Trade Minister Don Farrell, thanks so much for joining us this morning. I wish it was under better circumstances. Have you heard from the US about this tariff increase? Have you had any contact?
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell: We got the information this morning about this decision. And today we'll make sure that we make contact with the United States Trade Representative to make it clear to them that we believe that this is the wrong decision. It was not justified -
[This interview was interrupted by technical difficulties experienced by the broadcaster]
Journalist: Sorry to Don Farrell as well. Technical difficulties. What you were saying earlier, Don, was, it seems like you got the information from media reports about this tariff increase. Is that fair?
Minister Farrell: No. We were told this by the USTR, our officials have been advised about it. We knew there was a decision imminent. I have to say, based on my earlier conversation with the USTR, it's not a surprising decision, but it's an extremely disappointing decision. We don't believe there's any justification for the American government to increase the tariff on Australian goods. We believe we do take the issue of modern slavery seriously. We have some of the most progressive legislation anywhere in the world. We say that these tariffs are unjustified and we call on the United States Government to reverse them.
Journalist: How many conversations have you had with Jamieson Greer about this?
Minister Farrell: I've had a number of conversations, including one just recently at the OECD in Paris, where we again rejected any suggestion that there should be an increase in Australian tariffs on Australian products.
Journalist: Did they just say tough luck, this is coming? What did they say to you?
Minister Farrell: Look, this is, this is a process that affects some 60 countries around the world. So we we're not orphans in the sense that a whole lot of other countries have been treated the same way. There is a paradox here, Andrew, that since the so-called Liberation Day last year, Australian exports to the United States have increased by 67 per cent. So despite the imposition of these tariffs, which we say are unjustified, we have been able to increase our exports into the United States and our largest exports, like beef, like gold, like copper, continue to get into the United States tariff free.
Journalist: So, what you're telling me is it doesn't even matter, it doesn't even have an effect?
Minister Farrell: No, I don't say that at all Andrew. I say the actions of the Australian Government in supporting Australian companies to increase their exports has been successful. Last year, Andrew, we did $1.32 trillion worth of trade, a record trade amount. So, despite all of the uncertainty around the world, Australia has been successful in expanding our trade relationships. Why is that? Well, we've got new agreements with the United Kingdom, new agreements with the United Arab Emirates, a new agreement with India and another agreement underway with India. And of course, the biggest one of all is the EU Free Trade Agreement. That's not just one agreement, Andrew, that's effectively 27 new agreements because there are 27 countries in the EU.
Journalist: Don Farrell, what do the Americans say to you? Like you put Australia's case, do they say, kind of what you're saying that affects 60 countries? Look, it's not personal, we're just, you know, this is the way we see things and that's it. Is that what they say?
Minister Farrell: That is the way they approach this. They're determined to go down the path of increased tariffs. They don't disguise that, Andrew. They make it very clear that the way they see the future is increased tariffs. And the world is now dividing itself into two groups. Those countries that seek to use tariffs as a way of increasing their income and those who believe in free and fair trade. The Australian Government -
Journalist: Is it not the US versus the rest in a lot of ways?
Minister Farrell: No. There are other countries heading down this path as well. It's not just the US, but the world is divided into two groups now. Those who support tariffs, those who support free and fair trade. The Albanese Government is unequivocally in the category of those who support free and fair trade. We're going to continue to do that. And as I say, so far, the evidence is that those countries that believe in free and fair trade are increasing their trade. So, it won't surprise me if the results for this year continue to grow. And that's what we want to do. We, after Liberation Day last year, we committed to increasing our support for Australian companies to find new opportunities to sell their product. That's working, Andrew.
Journalist: How are we going with the US? Because we had this great meeting between Albanese and Trump, everything's sweet. They've had like one or maybe two phone calls since, there's not that regular contact. We're not on the same page with them on Iran. How would you characterise the relationship at the moment?
Minister Farrell: Well, the American relationship with Australia is extremely important. We're here in South Australia, Andrew. Just down at Osborne, we're going to be building submarines with the United States. So, in a defence relationship, the Americans are our most important allies and that's going to continue to be the case. We'll continue to work with the United States on defence issues, and we'll continue to put our arguments to the United States that these tariffs are wrong. They're actually pushing up the costs for ordinary American consumers. It's the wrong way to go, Andrew.
Journalist: I've got to go but just very briefly, this is not like the conferences of old. Hardly a debate. Anthony Albanese, he's got it under control, hasn't he?
Minister Farrell: He does. He's a fantastic. He's a fantastic Prime Minister and he's got the full support of the people here in Adelaide. He's doing a really good job. I'm looking forward to his re-election at the next election. And I'll be supporting him all the way.
Journalist: Don Farrell, thanks so much for your time.