Albanese Urges Australians to "Buy Local" in Response to Trump's Tariffs

Albanese Urges Australians to "Buy Local" in Response to Trump's Tariff Regime

In response to US President Donald Trump's refusal to exempt Australian steel and aluminium from his tariff regime, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to "buy local."

Albanese believes that by purchasing Australian goods, Australians can have a direct impact on the economy and support local businesses. He specifically mentioned buying "Bundy" rum instead of American products as an example.

This approach echoes the Canadian government's response to Trump's tariffs, which has seen a resurgence in support for Canadian-made products. Labor believes that a similar approach could be beneficial for Australia, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming budget.

The government is also considering ways to leverage its own purchasing power to support local businesses. This could involve ensuring that more Australian suppliers are able to win federal procurement contracts, which were worth $100 billion in the last financial year.

Albanese emphasized the importance of "Team Australia" during this time, urging everyone to support Australian businesses and industries. He also criticized Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for taking the side of the Trump administration and not backing Australia.

While the government acknowledges that securing an exemption from the tariffs will be challenging, they remain committed to working towards that goal. They are continuing to engage with the US government and put forward a strong case for exemption.