Albanese Seeks Talks with Trump as U.S. Tariffs Loom Ahead of Australian Election

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday he plans to hold direct talks with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding looming tariffs, as Washington prepares to announce new trade measures on April 2. Concerns are rising that Australia could be caught in the fallout of Trump’s escalating global trade tensions, with the U.S. set to unveil retaliatory tariffs on “liberation day.”

Albanese highlighted his government’s constructive engagement with U.S. officials, noting that discussions have been ongoing in efforts to protect Australian exports. Speaking from Canberra during the second full day of campaigning for the May 3 general election, Albanese confirmed he expects a one-on-one discussion with Trump soon. “A couple of weeks ago, that didn’t happen because the president chose to go ahead unilaterally,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

The issue of who can best manage the Australia-U.S. relationship—Albanese or opposition leader Peter Dutton of the Liberal-National coalition—has emerged as a key point in the campaign. Trump previously exempted Australia from steel and aluminium tariffs during his first term, a move both sides are now hoping to see repeated.

Albanese emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts, referencing past phone calls with Trump and high-level meetings between Australian and U.S. defense and foreign ministers.

Meanwhile, the Labor government also pledged on Sunday to combat supermarket price gouging as cost-of-living pressures dominate the campaign. Albanese had already spotlighted affordable healthcare as a core policy.

With polls showing a tight race, Dutton is campaigning on housing affordability and a push for nuclear energy. Albanese, who once held a strong approval lead, now finds himself nearly tied with Dutton in voter support.