A US senator has jumped to Australia's defence arguing in a fiery exchange with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that Donald Trump’s tariffs were an “insult” and undermine the "incredibly important" security relationship between the two countries.
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00:00We should be running up the score in Australia.
00:01Ambassador Greer, answer the question on Australia.
00:04We have a trade surplus with Australia.
00:08We have a free trade agreement.
00:10They are an incredibly important national security partner.
00:13Why were they whacked with a tariff?
00:15A US senator has jumped to Australia's defence,
00:19arguing in a fiery exchange with Trump trade representative Jameson Greer
00:23that Trump's tariffs were an insult
00:26and undermine the incredibly important security relationship
00:31between the two countries.
00:33The interesting thing with Australia is
00:35we have a free trade agreement with Australia.
00:38We don't have tariffs.
00:40We even have one of the few industrial countries,
00:44we have a trade surplus with Australia.
00:47So Ambassador Greer, can you explain to me
00:49how it helps America's national security or our trading balance
00:53when we have, and I loved your fancy Greek formula,
00:57which was basically bad math on steroids formula,
01:02how with the trade surplus, with this strong relationship,
01:06Australia got hit with a 10% tariff as well?
01:10Senator, Australia has the lowest rate available under the new program.
01:14They've banned imports of American beef.
01:16Ambassador, excuse me.
01:18There is a trade, we already have a free trade agreement.
01:22We have a trade surplus.
01:24So getting the least bad,
01:26why did they get whacked in the first place?
01:29We're addressing the $1.2 trillion deficit,
01:31the largest in human history that President Biden left us with.
01:34We should be running up the score in Australia.
01:35Ambassador Greer, answer the question on Australia.
01:38We have a trade surplus with Australia.
01:42We have a free trade agreement.
01:44Why?
01:44They are an incredibly important national security partner.
01:47Why were they whacked with a tariff?
01:49Senator, despite the agreement, they ban our beef, they ban our pork,
01:54they're getting ready to impose measures on our digital companies.
01:56It's incredible.
01:56With your Greek letter formula, the fact that we have a trade surplus.
02:01We have a global tariff on everyone.
02:03We're trying to address the $1.2 trillion deficit that Biden left us with.
02:07I think that answer, sir, you're a much smarter person than that answer.
02:12The idea that we are going to whack friend and foe alike,
02:17and particularly friends, with this level is both, I think, insulting the Australians,
02:23undermines our national security,
02:25and frankly makes us not a good partner going forward.
02:28The lack of trust from friends and allies based upon this ridiculous policy
02:34that goes into full effect at midnight tonight is extraordinary.
02:38I go back to what the market believers believe today is happening.
02:41A good day in hospice.
02:43I'm afraid if we keep these tariffs in effect,
02:46we're looking like an economy that will be in hospice.
02:50Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
02:51Thank you, Mr. Chairman.