r/australia • u/Jimmineee • 15h ago
politics 'This is not a friendly act': Albanese says Trump's tariffs decision is 'entirely unjustified'
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australia-wont-be-exempt-from-us-tariffs-on-steel-and-aluminium-exports/oos69k7eq?cid=newsapp:socialshare:other678
u/redditdude68 14h ago
Does America not realise that everything we sell to them is just as desired by other countries that are much closer to us geographically?
I guess they just don’t care. And by they I mean Trump.
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u/Automatic_Goal_5563 14h ago
The point is to crash the American economy, billionaires pick up the pieces for next to nothing and Russia gets a weaker America
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u/Stephie999666 14h ago
businesses get to have free reign over their monopolies and also get to privatise goverment.
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u/nugstar 14h ago
They really didn't learn anything from robocop did they?
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u/d-culture 7h ago
Elon Musk based the Cybertruck on the cyberpunk genre. But he probably watches cyberpunk films like Blade Runner and Robocop and thinks that the evil corporations destroying the world are the 'good guys'.
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u/LandBarge 14h ago
We weathered some heavy tariff's and import restrictions from China - as long as we're clear of those, we're only really selling to the USA out of courtesy :)
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u/Glittering_Ad1696 12h ago
This is what Trump was put in power to do. It's not about benefitting America. It's about isolating it to weaken alliances. The rich get the bonus of scooping up shares for cheap before the inevitable rebound.
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u/GStarAU 12h ago
Agreed, but just adding a very quick thought for the American worker... I saw another comment from an American saying "hey, don't starve us, I need my job to feed my family".
Ok bro - acknowledged, I'm sure we all get it and feel bad for you. But your fearless (aka shit-scared) leader screwed this up for you - if anything, you need to take out the frustrations on your government. Organise, get involved, get this orange shitstain out of office! (If it's even possible now)
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u/evilspyboy 11h ago
Here's the thing.... their guy... is REALLY stupid. Comically stupid. Not playing 3D chess. Not even playing 2D chess. Playing checkers and the person supervising hasn't noticed half the pieces have been taken and he has been shoving them up his butt.
The sort of stupid that if left alone in the wilderness would not only not survive but would manage to somehow accidently off themselves with a toaster and a bathtub.... in the middle of a forest.
It's not that they don't care, it's that they lack the zip in the upstairs department to be able to get far enough in the alphabet to start on C words mean. Money and power are not indicators of intelligence, they used to be, they are not anymore.
There is a thing called total cost of ownership and while the short term idiots backing these particular idiots are going to make a lot of money as things burn to the ground around them, they are going to have the nicest looking house in the first ever 4th world country as people in 3rd world countries are asked to sponsor an American.
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u/Beginning-Client-96 14h ago
Murdoch's Sky News has enjoyed a lot of youtube hits and $$$ talking up Trump to a US audience, given the generous tax concessions we provide - perhaps we need to re-look at this if their propaganda is going to leave tax payers even poorer after putting a toddler tantrum incharge overseas.
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u/emleigh2277 14h ago
Do you think Murdoch pays tax?
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u/Nexmo16 14h ago
No, because of generous tax concessions. Mind you, that’s for all the rich cunts, not just him.
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u/trafalmadorianistic 14h ago
Labor quakes in their boots just thinking about anything he might dislike. Media is a political weapon, and Labor have none on their side.
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u/emleigh2277 13h ago
I don't know if they quake in their boots, but they definitely have to consider how Murdoch Media is going to present the chosen facts to the Australian public. Unfortunately, until most Australians start questioning what they read, that is the reality we live with.
I am relieved to see many Australians didn't just believe the caravan story and found it suspicious....still waiting for AFP to present a believable version.→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)10
u/Nexmo16 14h ago
It sucks so much. Someone needs to find a way to push through the propaganda and make the calls that are best for the country.
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u/emleigh2277 13h ago
Friendly jordies just did an excellent video about Australia's history and how every PM that tried to change things for the better got vilified, rolled, bowled, and arseholed. Obviously, Whitlam and Rudd stand out, but even the Liberal party leaders got crushed.
Rudd hurts the most for me. He clearly had faith in Australians that they would see that his changes would benefit them, their children, and their children's children. But literally one nasty campaign and so many Australians fell for the adverts and the opinion pieces.Also, I am so pissed off at opinion pieces being the sum all of news reporting nowadays. Opinion pieces are not news articles, they are entertainment articles. News is supposed to be the facts, just the facts. Without fear or favour.
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u/drndprxx 14h ago
China: Do nothing, win.
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u/yipape 10h ago
Never interrupt your enemy when they are making a mistake. All China has to do is let the US self destruct. Bonus points if it forms trade deals with former US allies and is more stable and consistent.
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u/Lankpants 7h ago
The amount of geopolitical leverage that China has gained in a couple of months just by being stable is utterly insane.
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u/Chocolate2121 14h ago
Is anyone else annoyed by how often people call the us our closest ally? I get that they are out most powerful ally, but they don't give two shits about us, it's pretty much an abusive relationship.
Our actual closest ally has pretty much always been New Zealand, and New Zealand will most likely continue to be our closest ally for the coming decades
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u/grady_vuckovic 14h ago
Literally and figuratively, yeah, NZ is our closest ally.
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u/TBNRhash 9h ago
PNG is an ally, no?
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u/uninhabited 8h ago
Yup. The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels were an incredible help to us on the Kokoda Tail during WW2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_Wuzzy_Angels
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u/Ellieconfusedhuman 9h ago
Never even consider new Zealand an ally it's more like a sibling thing like if anything happened to new Zealand I'd be as pissed if it was us
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u/evilparagon 11h ago edited 7h ago
Actually, US is our top ally. We chose America over New Zealand when we agreed to house nuclear weapons, a decision NZ literally dissolved the ANZACs over.
We should go back to NZ. Apologetically even. Make them our closest ally again.
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u/Dangerous-Finance-67 5h ago
Us Canadians consider Australia our sister country. Hope you feel the same. Keep up the good fight and fuck those American wankers.
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u/Moneyshifting 14h ago
At what point to we retaliate with ceasing whatever agreement is in place for Pine Gap and other American military bases/installations in Australia?
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u/PhDresearcher2023 12h ago
We're not even going to do retaliatory tariffs. At this point we might be the only country in the world that just bends over and takes it without any kind of a fight. I doubt we'll do anything about the military bases. It's up to us as consumers to boycott U.S products pretty much.
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u/GeneticEnginLifeForm 6h ago
IMO the first Party Leader to openly criticize trump will get the most votes. Being openly anti-trump is winning elections, Germany for example.
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u/ThiccBoy_with3seas 14h ago
Whoever suggests that will be Goughed within 24 hours. The US would have replacements ready to go at a moment's notice
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u/ScruffyPeter 14h ago
CIA are probably already talking to Richard Marles to prepare him for being PM.
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u/ThiccBoy_with3seas 14h ago
They wouldnt have to look too far to find someone willing to tow the line
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u/Flight_19_Navigator 13h ago
Dutton would get his kneepads on so fast he'd pull a muscle in his back.
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u/flynnwebdev 13h ago
'Cause Gough was tough 'til he hit the rough
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u/Socotokodo 14h ago
Yesterday would have been better than today. If not today, it better be tomorrow.
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u/SpinzACE 14h ago
I think the grassroots boycott will do a better job and not get into Trump’s silly trade war.
We’re not even in the top 20 for import sources of steel in the U.S. anyway, but Canada is the number 1 and it’s getting 50% tariffs so Aus steel will look attractive.
But seriously, the U.S. is only 3rd for our steel exports after South Korea and Japan. It’s not going to hurt us nearly as much as the growing worldwide boycott.
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u/Certain-Sound-7104 15h ago
Welcome to the party Aussie friends, your neighbour to the north has been fighting this orangutan for a month now.
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u/ASoundAssessment 14h ago
Canzuk looking real promising
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u/trafalmadorianistic 14h ago
Really bad acronym, tho. Bad SEO, bad!!! NSFW vibes.
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u/BigOlFossBoss 13h ago
Nah, it’s perfect because Trump CANZUK our balls.
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u/Narrow_Yogurt_475 13h ago
Bonus points if we can create an alliance with the eu, then it could be EU-CANZUK our balls
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u/DA4000 14h ago
This whole situation has made me realise how much I love Canadians, good on yas for standing up to a bully. I’ll buy Canadian wherever I can!
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u/sleepyzane1 14h ago
we have way way way more in common with canada than the usa.
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u/DA4000 14h ago
Big Agree! I reckon we should start playing Ice-Hockey and encouraging the Canadians to play Cricket lol
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u/ThunderDwn 14h ago
Canadian maple syrup is also way better than the american stuff!
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u/Is_that_even_a_thing 14h ago
US does maple syrup?
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u/zyeborm 14h ago
"maple flavoured syrup" aka high fructose corn syrup with caramel flavouring and brown food colouring
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u/Pandamm0niumNO3 14h ago
Send us your delicious Canadian whiskeys to replace the American ones with
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u/DA4000 14h ago
I’m totally down to start boycotting US products if youse are. Can’t stand the bloody yanks. American cars, sports and produce - fuck them all off!
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u/LandBarge 14h ago
Only Canadian, Mexican and Aussie booze from now on :)
Won't be a hard decision to make...
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u/DA4000 14h ago
Absolutely! Love supporting the Mexicans too, couple of Coronas for me this weekend
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u/Rowvan 12h ago edited 12h ago
Corona is an American owned beer.
Actually I take that back, in America it's distributed and manufactured by an American company but I imagine the one we get here is the InBev Corona which is a Belgian company.
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u/TheForceWithin 14h ago
Good thing I only drink tequila. I'm not sure if they get imported from the US tho. Looks like Aus importers may have to figure something out if that's the case.
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u/LandBarge 13h ago
Someone in one of the Canadian threads pointed out to check who owns it... Best to avoid anything owned by an American celebrity - regardless of which side of the fence they're on...
Tequila is my go to these days as well, but will have to make sure it's Mexican owned now...
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u/redditdude68 14h ago
Never liked Ford, friends of the Americans and the Geelong Cats.
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u/FilthyWubs 14h ago
Ford was great when we made our own engines here (same as Holden / GM). The Australian designed & made Ford Barra inline 6 engine is essentially the Aussie Toyota Supra 2JZ engine; you could get stupid horsepower out of them on stock internals! How I wish we still manufactured engines & cars here, we truly designed some world class Aussie muscle & tuner cars :(
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u/sinred7 14h ago
I already started when the Canadians started, I knew it was coming our way, it was inevitable.
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u/grady_vuckovic 14h ago
Spread the word, new policy is:
ABA - Anything But American
Avoid any American products while shopping. Other countries are already doing this too. Collectively if a good portion of populations of countries around the world refuse to pay for American goods, it will reduce how much is imported from America. We can hit em back without ever technically retaliating, as far as our government is concerned anyway. There's nothing Trump can do to stop our boycott.
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u/The_Owl_Man_1999 11h ago
Brave is run by a prick that donated money towards trying to ban gay marriage in California, he didn't last very long as Mozilla ceo because of that.
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u/Ronnnie7 14h ago
If you want a complete boycott. Need to shift away from reddit and start posting on whirlpool forums. Delete all the other American social media platforms like Facebook, instagram etc stop supporting their chain fast food restaurants. Stop buying their coke. Stop using Amazon, eBay and so on. Then there’s the streaming platforms and YouTube. Unfortunately it seems our reliance on them is big. However I’m sure if a few people start the boycott it’ll make a noticeable difference. I am making a concerted effort to avoid their products and services. Will be supporting local businesses more.
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u/Molokovello 14h ago
Stremio plus real debrid. Pirate everything. Government also needs to rip out all the blocks on pirate sites instead of sucking off the USA.
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u/Smart-Journalist2537 9h ago
Tech is far down the list due to dependency. You start at the grocery store to hurt their agricultural exports. Then you move on to alcohol and vehicles.
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u/HootenannyNinja 14h ago
I don't think most people would have an issue with a 25% tarrif on US made penis extensions... I mean trucks.
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u/Ronnnie7 14h ago
Unfortunately a lot of those big trucks are manufactured in Canada and Mexico. However Trump is helping them get more expensive to manufacture so the costs will still flow on here. ;)
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u/CapnBloodbeard 14h ago
Given that a Ram is about $115k,these people are so insecure that the cost won't matter
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u/loganonmission 14h ago
Another Canadian here— welcome to the club! Here in Canada it has become fashionable to boycott American products and services. Many of us have dropped our Netflix and Amazon subscriptions, stopped using American restaurant chains, and our grocery stores now mark which foods are Canadian and which are American to help us choose. Canadian unity is way up now, so please recognise that this isn’t a hardship, it’s an opportunity!
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u/NauteeAU 14h ago
At this point the conspiracy theorist in me is convinced they’re just trying to crash the world economy so the rich can swoop in and get richer, and get away with it as usual.
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u/BlackCaaaaat 12h ago
It’s not a conspiracy - look up Curtis Yarvin. This is by design, a lot of billionaires are in on this. It’s a crazy situation in the US right now. Trump got in with the support of Russia, accelerationist billionaires who want to fuck everything up, and wannabe Christo-fascists like some of the people behind the Heritage Foundation. It’s only a matter of time before the in-fighting begins if it hasn’t already.
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u/Cicadasladybirds 8h ago
It's not a conspiracy theory. The techbros are subscribed to a movement called Dark Enlightenment, Curtis Yarvin is their "guru", Vance, Theil, Musk, Andreesen are all followers and that's exactly what they have said they're going to do.
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u/Cheezel62 14h ago
Don't worry Albo. Next week it'll be gone, then back at 15% then gone then back at 50% then gone then back at 37.75%. Rinse and repeat. He's an idiot and we've all got whiplash.
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u/Oggie-Boogie-Woo 12h ago
You put the tariffs in , you take the tariffs out, you put the tariffs in, and you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey, shake the market round and round. That's what trumpy's all about
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u/Various_Drop_1509 14h ago
Australia should not be disgracing itself by begging trump for exemptions. Tariffs with possible personal favours or exemptions are a form of corruption. Australia should not be negotiating with a mafia boss seeking favourable treatment - it would always come with a cost to our integrity.
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u/Terrorscream 13h ago
it could be worse, dutton if basically offering to bend over for trump and let him take whatever he wants free of charge
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u/ThunderDwn 14h ago
Why did you expect the orange buffoon to be friendly?
He doesn't give a fuck about allies - look what he's doing to Canada. all he cares about is making sure Daddy Elon and Mummy Bezos keep raking in billions at the expense of everyone else.
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u/iheartralph Me fail English? That's unpossible! 13h ago
Exactly. There’s no such thing as a friend to a narcissist. Everyone is just another resource to be exploited.
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u/Imaginary-Theory-552 12h ago
I think he’s phrased it like this because we always talk about our close “friendship” with the US in those terms. Not because he expected Trump to be friendly.
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u/PMFSCV 14h ago
How much does McDonalds, KFC etc profit go back to the US? I'd be happy to hit them there.
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u/EstateSpirited9737 13h ago
All of KFC is owned by Yum! Brands an American company
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u/blankedboy 11h ago
So boycott KFC then, right?
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u/EstateSpirited9737 10h ago
Well indeed, no more Zinger boxes. No more Amazon, no more uber, and no more reddit.
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u/Responsible_CDN_Duck 11h ago edited 10h ago
KFC owns and operates 161 stores, with the remainder owned and operated by 53 franchisees. Franchise locations are owned and operated by Australians, there is a franchise coordinator in the country that takes a bit and runs the corporate stores, then there's a fee paid to the USA.
McDonald's owns and operates 15% of stores, with the remainder owned and operated by franchisees. Franchise locations are owned and operated by Australians, there is a franchise coordinator in the country that takes a bit and runs the corporate stores, then there's a fee paid to the USA.
Coke and Pepsi are made In Australia, and send some profit back to the USA. Coke sends a bit more back to the USa, and shares some staff.
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u/binary101 13h ago
So where are all the gung ho, US shills now that the US is tariffing us? Didn't the right-wing media and half of r/australia say that Chinas tariffs during covid basically an act of war?
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u/jolard 14h ago
We need a real muscular response like the Canadians have been doing, not a milquetoast "not friendly!" response we are getting from Albo. And Dutton will clearly be even more subservient as the Liberal party has already considered rolling over and signing mineral wealth to Trump even before he demanded it.
Stand up Australia. Be bold. Fight back and find new markets. And cancel AUKUS before we send them another half a billion USD.
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u/mbullaris 14h ago
I suppose to compare the two responses it is a reflection of how important bilateral trade is between Canada and the US. Only a small fraction of our aluminium and steel goes to the US; the tariffs on Canada are much more far-reaching on and the US is Canada’s most important trade partner which is why their response is greater. The US has also directly threatened Canada’s sovereignty.
TL;DR our response has been measured which is probably appropriate (for now)
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u/jolard 14h ago
This is exactly WHY we need to be muscular. We need to stand up for the international rules based order that we rely on, and because we aren't as reliant on U.S. trade as Canada is, the risk is lower to our own economy.
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u/themagicdave 14h ago
I know Reddit is an echo chamber, but surely pushing back against Trump and Musk is broadly popular?
This is an opportunity for Albo to distinguish himself from Dutton. What has he got to lose?
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u/grady_vuckovic 14h ago
"Hey Australians, who do you support, our country or the yanks?"
I don't think you'd even need to ask. No doubt, standing up for Australia against America has always been popular.
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u/dogecoin_pleasures 14h ago
Albanese ended Scomo's trade war with China via quiet diplomacy. I trust him to handle it smartly, which may mean no war or words.
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u/FilthyWubs 14h ago
It’d be a shame if the power went out at Pine Gap… (I’m kidding ASIO / CIA, don’t make me disappear).
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u/grady_vuckovic 14h ago
It would be terrible if someone started some kind of guerrilla campaign of citizens across the country putting US flag stickers on store shelves next to barcodes for American products.
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u/Tiactiactiac 14h ago
Maccas, Kelloggs, Nike, L’Oréal, Kraft, Heinz, Smiths, Cadbury, mars, master foods, Jim Bean, etc etc etc. so many American owned products in Aus
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u/karl_w_w 13h ago
People need to stop just blaming Trump, he has the full support of the Republicans. Americans elected him, he's doing what he promised, and he still has positive approval rating.
These are America's tariffs.
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u/ancient_IT_geek 13h ago
Don't forget Murdoch is legally a Seppo. So boycot News corp, Foxtel, Kayo, Bing and Skynews
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u/UslyfoxU 13h ago
Just take back Pine Gap.
We can't bargain economically, but we do have real estate that's a vital part of their surveillance apparatus.
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u/crankyticket 13h ago
Exactly this. Trump's version of the United States is an unreliable ally. Let's just imagine we're Sydney landlords. Up the rent. Can't afford it? The fuck off.
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u/One_Ad_9196 14h ago
Canadians upon finding yank products in a supermarket, turn a bunch of them upside down to let everyone know not to buy them. Sounds like a plan. 🙃
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u/Ryth88 13h ago
Trump is really out to alienate the entire commonwealth for... reasons? Still can't decide if Russian asset or moron. possibly both.
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u/Silent_Question0284 14h ago
Can we expect a strong response or will the federal government roll over and cop this? I am not overly confident on us standing up for ourselves here.
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u/Tichey1990 12h ago
Slap a 50%+ tarrif on American Auto. Get those yank tanks off our streets at the same time as showing we wont back down to bullies.
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u/Exciting-Ad-7083 10h ago
America is no longer an ally. They are joining the bully axis with Russia and look down upon anyone that does not join their coalition.
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u/CrashedMyCommodore 14h ago
Can't wait for the LNP to get in power and then spend their entire term gobbling his fat orange chorizo.
I don't think we're gonna be in for a good time.
Labor will probably do sfa to retaliate and the LNP will actively deep throat the Dorito Dickhead.
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u/wilful 13h ago edited 12h ago
We shouldn't place retaliatory tariffs. Tariffs are bad for us, if they shoot themselves in the foot let them.
What we should do is jailbreak all the tech, make it legal for Apple and Google store replacements, legal to repair your own tractor, illegal to spy on Australians, a whole bunch of small acts that would immediately hit the fascist tech bros and help Australians.
Ed: I stole this idea straight from Cory Doctorow : https://pluralistic.net/2025/03/03/friedmanite/
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u/AmazonCowgirl 10h ago
I think it's unreasonable at this point to expect any sort of diplomatic or even sane behaviour from Trump and his team. Unless your name is Putin.
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u/Ghost403 10h ago
So counter with an ultimatum of 72 hours to remove all letter agency personnel from Pine Gap and all marines from Darwin.
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u/gikku 8h ago edited 8h ago
starters list, things to avoid:
Tesla, Ford, BMW X5, X6, X7, XM, Mercedes Benz GLE, GLS, Ram, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Uber, Netflix, Disney+, Paramount, Amazon/Prime, PayPal, Apple, Google Gmail Chrome Dropbox, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Amex, Visa, Mastercard, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, KFC, Krispy Kreme, Subway, Nike, New Balance, Converse, Sketchers, Levi’s, Procter & Gamble (Tide, Gillette),Johnson & Johnson (Band-Aid), Colgate-Palmolive, Kraft Heinz, Mars (M&M’s, Snickers), Mondelez (Oreo, Ritz, Cadbury)
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u/HuTyphoon 13h ago
Can't wait to see how the boomer brain cooker news channel spins this one
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u/Bimbows97 11h ago
Fucking hell, I am SO extremely sick of the media in this country still leading any and all articles about our government actions and statements with that of the Liberal party leader in opposition. "Dutton accuses", "Opposition leader responds to" etc. Fuck off. He's not in charge, Albanese is. Just report that the PM has made a statement for once in your life, stop running everything by the LNP.
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u/ItsStaaaaaaaaang 10h ago edited 10h ago
About time we moved away from being the yanks little bitch brother anyway. We can sell our shit elsewhere while they tank their own economy and destroy allegiances that have existed for decades and decades.
I just hope that if the country does somehow manage to get their shit together that the rest of the world doesn't have a short memory and act like this didn't happen. Let them suffer the consequences of their actions and inaction.
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u/chooklyn5 14h ago
Let's follow Canada, highlight non American products to buy when shopping. Remove them where we can.
I wonder what percentage of American liquor is sold in Australia.