NO EXEMPTION FOR AUSTRALIA
Timezones at all times soften my mind. It doesn’t matter what number of instances I’ve written a few sure timezone, I at all times find yourself googling it again and again to test the conversion.
Anyway, from 12.01am on Wednesday in Washington DC (which I reckon/hope is 3.01pm Wednesday AEDT) US President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on aluminium and metal imports is because of come into impact and, in relatively anticipated information, The Sydney Morning Herald has simply reported Australia is not going to be exempt.
White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned: “He [Trump] thought-about it and he thought-about towards it” when requested in regards to the Albanese authorities’s request for a tariff exemption. She added: “America first metal. In the event that they need to transfer their metal producers right here, they’re welcome to take action.”
Because the markets proceed to react to the unstable bulletins popping out of the White Home, in a single day Trump added to the chaos by saying he was going to double the tariffs on Canadian metal and aluminium from 25% to 50% after Ontario Premier Doug Ford introduced a 25% surcharge on US-bound electrical energy.
In a caps-filled Reality Social rant, Trump mentioned he was going to declare “a nationwide emergency on electrical energy” within the northern US states impacted by Ontario’s retaliatory tariffs. He additionally mentioned: “If different egregious, long-time tariffs are usually not likewise dropped by Canada, I’ll considerably enhance, on April 2nd, the tariffs on automobiles coming into the US which can, primarily, completely shut down the auto manufacturing enterprise in Canada.”
The president of America additionally declared that “the one factor that is sensible” was for Canada to turn into the 51st US state, saying: “The bogus line of separation drawn a few years in the past will lastly disappear.”
Incoming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X in the previous couple of hours that Trump’s newest tariffs had been “an assault on Canadian employees, households, and companies”. He added: “My authorities will guarantee our response has most affect within the US and minimal affect right here in Canada, whereas supporting the employees impacted. My authorities will maintain our tariffs on till the Individuals present us respect and make credible, dependable commitments to free and honest commerce.”
It’s honest to say amid that backdrop anybody hoping for an exemption in the present day won’t get what they’re in search of (though, Trump has flip-flopped so many instances on his genius tariffs, truthfully who is aware of). Guardian Australia highlights that whereas metal and aluminum “are minor exports to the US for Australia”, different sectors which Trump has vowed to focus on, like prescription drugs and agriculture, are “considerably extra uncovered”.
Shane Oliver, the chief economist at AMP, is quoted as saying (earlier than Leavitt’s feedback above): “Even when we keep away from the 25% tariff on our metal and aluminium exports — which is wanting questionable — we seemingly face tariffs on our pharmaceutical exports, that are greater than double the worth of our metal and aluminium exports to the US, or meat, which is our largest export. The primary risk to Australia by far comes from Trump’s commerce warfare resulting in successful to international commerce and progress resulting in much less demand for our exports.”
The report provides the Australian inventory market shed greater than $45 billion yesterday following falls within the US markets amid fears of a recession. It additionally highlights a run on gold in America (as a result of fears over a worldwide commerce warfare) “has given Australia its first commerce surplus with the US in many years”.
The Australian Monetary Evaluate has additionally picked up on that and mentioned the “uncommon month-to-month commerce surplus of virtually $2 billion seems to be a one-off anomaly” however reckons it “undermined” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s argument for an exemption.
In a separate piece, the AFR additionally mentioned Australian shares are “set to increase their losses [on Wednesday] after President Donald Trump rattled markets anew”.
Yesterday, former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull very a lot discovered himself within the highlight after his feedback on Trump’s behaviour and his name for nations to face as much as his bullying.
The 70-year-old has now written for the 9 newspapers (see additionally The Commentariat beneath) saying: “Trump is a bully — that’s like saying the Pope’s a Catholic — and when you suck as much as him, you’ll simply get extra bullying. After all there are many grifters who need to get some monetary profit or different by ingratiating themselves with Trump and his entourage. However Australia, and Australians, ought to have larger requirements than a Okay Avenue lobbyist.”
DUTTON WOES AND UKRAINE HOPE
Because the Albanese authorities braces for the incoming tariffs, potential international commerce wars and unstable inventory markets (whereas attempting to organize a funds on March 25 and maintain an election in Could), it’s Opposition Chief Peter Dutton who finds himself on the again foot this week.
After going through questions over his resolution to attend a fundraiser in Sydney because the nation (and his citizens) braced for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Coalition chief spent yesterday responding to accusations “he prevented briefings on the now-debunked caravan terror plot so as to be free to ‘stoke worry’”, because the ABC places it.
These accusations got here from Residence Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Tuesday morning and yesterday Dutton rejected the claims, saying he was stored in control in conversations with the top of ASIO.
“At no time throughout these briefings or my discussions with the director-general of ASIO together with on February 18, was there any point out of a hoax,” Dutton mentioned. “The thought that we didn’t request a briefing is an entire and utter nonsense.”
My colleague Charlie Lewis has a bit value studying on the entire saga (see beneath) and Annabel Crabb has a bit within the ABC this morning which suggests “Peter Dutton is beginning to lose his strategic benefit as his reputation goes up”.
In the meantime, The Sydney Morning Herald stories on Labor infighting in New South Wales within the wake of the revelation in regards to the caravan plot. Labor MP Stephen Lawrence has requested for a briefing on when Labor Premier Chris Minns knew the Dural caravan was a “legal con job”, because the Australian Federal Police is now calling it.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley mentioned in response: “It is probably not the stupidest concept I’ve ever heard, but when it isn’t, I actually can’t keep in mind what was. It most definitely is not going to be taking place.”
In breaking world information, a joint assertion from the US and Ukraine following talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday has introduced Washington “will instantly raise the pause on intelligence sharing and resume safety help to Ukraine”, the BBC stories.
Kyiv has additionally agreed to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, The Guardian provides, quoting the assertion as saying: “Ukraine expressed readiness to simply accept the US proposal to enact an instantaneous, interim 30-day ceasefire, which may be prolonged by mutual settlement of the events, and which is topic to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation. America will talk to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the important thing to reaching peace.”
Talking to reporters, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned he was going to “take this supply now to the Russians”, including: “The ball is of their courtroom.” He additionally mentioned: “I hope they’re going to say sure. In the event that they do, then I feel we’ve made nice progress. If they are saying no, then we’ll sadly know what the obstacle is to peace right here.”
Requested if the connection between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy was again on observe, Rubio, for causes solely he is aware of, mentioned: “That is critical stuff. This isn’t Imply Ladies, this isn’t some episode of some tv present. That is very critical.”
ON A LIGHTER NOTE…
Edwin Rayner stopped singing a decade in the past after his spouse of 60 years handed away.
His granddaughters didn’t need the music to cease although and have now managed to persuade the 92-year-old to not solely sing once more, however to add clips of his efficiency to TikTok.
And properly, you may guess the remainder.
Below the deal with grandad_sings, Rayner has attracted over 600,000 followers with a few of his clips receiving hundreds of thousands of views.
“Nev and Laura got here to me and mentioned: ‘Grandad, you’re going to go on TikTok’. And I mentioned, ‘I’m going to go on what? I had by no means heard of TikTok!”, Rayner, from Bournemouth, England, advised the BBC.
The British broadcaster says his current cowl of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Membership” has attracted virtually 9 million views, whereas his model of “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls has 11.5 million views.
“Sadly, I misplaced my Margaret 10 years in the past and I miss her terribly,” Rayner, who turns 93 this month, mentioned. “She was an exquisite, great, great girl, and it’s due to the way in which she taken care of me that I’m 93 and I can do what I can do.”
On the affect of his music, he added: “It takes me ages and ages, however it’s so gratifying as a result of a number of the individuals who touch upon me had been in despair, and my singing, and songs, have introduced again life to them, and it’s so pleasing to know I’ve finished this.”
Say What?
Followers can attain out to the promoter with any additional considerations.
Ticketmaster
British band New Order’s gig in Brisbane went forward on Tuesday evening regardless of followers questioning the choice as the town continues to take care of the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Some have additionally complained that they’ve been advised they don’t seem to be eligible for a refund, despite the fact that their journey plans had been affected by the cyclone.
CRIKEY RECAP
‘Terrorism’, ‘bloodbath’: How Australian press coated the faux terrorist caravan plot
NSW Police mentioned on the time it was contemplating whether or not the scenario was a “set-up”, whereas the AFP is now saying its skilled investigators “virtually instantly” believed the plot was faux. In line with AFP deputy commissioner of nationwide safety Krissy Barrett, this was as a result of how simply the caravan was found, how “seen” the explosives had been, and the essential lack of a detonator.
Nonetheless, columnists, editors and political leaders on all sides pushed on, labelling the invention “terrorism” and saying it was “primed for a bloodbath”.
Crikey appears to be like at how the scenario unfolded within the press, and the way simply the speculation that it was a “set-up” was misplaced.
Malcolm Turnbull is correct. Silence gained’t defend us from Trump
What was extra outstanding, nonetheless, was the response of the ABC’s Sarah Ferguson. “You’re … making an argument publicly,” she mentioned. “Is it simpler and higher for Australia on this acute second when the tariff resolution is being made, if diplomatists are given the utmost alternative to function behind closed doorways with out your intervention?”
Turnbull urged she was embarrassed to ask that query. If she wasn’t, she ought to have been. It was successfully a requirement that Turnbull stop from urging Australia do what different Western international locations are doing, which is deal with the brand new considering required by a world with an unstable American authorities that may ally with our enemies.
Ferguson isn’t alone on this demand for Turnbull to close up. The Australian’s Cameron Stewart, whereas endorsing what Turnbull has mentioned, reckons it wrecked no matter slim hopes the Albanese authorities had of securing a tariff exemption. Unsurprisingly, at Fox Information After Darkish, Chris Kenny, interviewing Liberal hack Zoe McKenzie, provided the identical view — although Information Corp’s shitflingers should stroll a superb line, as a result of Turnbull’s capacity to safe a tariff exemption is the stick to which they need to beat Albanese, whereas his basic critique of Trump and Australia’s response to it’s at odds with the Murdoch line.
So the bipartisan gaslighting extends to the media as properly, which needs a conspiracy of silence about Trump and the historic dangers he poses to Australia.
What a modest political donation by Rupert Murdoch’s son-in-law tells us in regards to the household divide
Macdoch Australia — the regenerative farming enterprise run by Rupert Murdoch’s son-in-law Alasdair MacLeod — has donated an undisclosed quantity to the Regional Voices Fund which is campaigning to unseat conservative nation politicians against taking motion on local weather change.
Macleod, who’s married to Murdoch’s eldest daughter Prudence, not often speaks to the media, however confirmed the donation to Crikey, saying: “We’re a non-political organisation, that does enterprise (and philanthropic work) in regional Australia, so Regional Voices appeared a worthy trigger to help.”
MacLeod wouldn’t reveal particulars of the donation, together with when or how a lot cash was given. Macdoch owns or manages grazing properties in NSW, together with the historic Cavan station close to Yass, held by the Murdoch household, and has invested closely in carbon farming — storing carbon in soil to enhance soil well being and permit sale of carbon credit to offset emissions elsewhere.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Employees at The Age protest over Trumpet of Patriots gender advert as Newcastle Herald apologises for operating it (Guardian Australia)
Confusion as Peter Dutton doubles down on risk to break-up insurers (The Australian) ($)
Philippines ex-leader Duterte on aircraft to The Hague after arrest (BBC)
Tuberculosis resurgent as Trump funding lower disrupts therapy globally (The New York Occasions) ($)
Billionaires at Trump’s swearing-in have since misplaced $209bn (Bloomberg) ($)
Chinese language buyers privately take stakes in Elon Musk’s corporations (Monetary Occasions) ($)
THE COMMENTARIAT
I gained’t be gaslit over Trump. If you happen to suck as much as him, you’re going to get extra bullying — Malcolm Turnbull (The Sydney Morning Herald): I used to be not shocked to see the Information Corp publications gleefully adopting Trump’s abuse and claiming that I had “torpedoed” any hopes of securing an exemption from metal and aluminium tariffs. It has at all times been very unlikely that Australia will safe an exemption this time. It was laborious sufficient in 2018 and all of the indicators from the administration are that the tariffs will likely be utilized throughout the board.
And it maybe by no means occurred to the crew at Information Corp’s Holt Avenue HQ in Sydney that it’s completely weird that the unremarkable feedback of a former prime minister would trigger the US to determine to not exempt Australia from tariffs. Not a phrase of criticism of Trump, in fact!
I used to be amused to replicate on the psychological stress this episode was inflicting our associates at Information Corp. Such a target-rich surroundings! They’ll blame me for the tariffs, or Kevin Rudd, or Anthony Albanese. Certainly they will work out a system the place it’s the fault of all three — however by no means, ever the fault of Donald Trump!
Transfer quick and destroy democracy — Kara Swisher (The Atlantic): In our many interviews over time, Musk usually referenced science fiction, which he seemed to for inspiration. Throughout that 1994 interview, Virilio referenced a brief story that I think about Musk is aware of, “wherein a digital camera has been invented which may be carried by flakes of snow. Cameras are inseminated into synthetic snow, which is dropped by planes, and when the snow falls, there are eyes all over the place. There is no such thing as a blind spot left.”
The interviewer then asks the one finest query I’ve ever heard — a query that I want I might have had the perspicuity to ask of the various tech leaders I’ve identified over three many years, particularly Musk, who by way of DOGE now could be constructing what techies name a “God view” dashboard of our nation and the world: “However what we could dream of when the whole lot turns into seen?”
And from Virilio, one of the best reply: “We’ll dream of being blind.”
It’s not the worst concept.
