Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell criticised US President Donald Trump's decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminium, calling it unjustified and an act of economic self-harm. Trump announced on Friday his intention to raise the tariff on steel and aluminium imports to the United States from 25 per cent to 50 per cent starting on June 4 in order to safeguard the domestic industry against foreign competition. In response to the announcement, Farrell stated in a press release that Australia's stance has remained "consistent and clear," and that the federal government would persist in advocating vigorously for the elimination of the tariffs. "These tariffs are unjustified and not the act of a friend," he said. "They are an act of economic self-harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade." Attribution: Xinhua Subediting: M. S. Salama
