00:00The U.S. has signaled it may reinstate President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs
00:05for countries that fail to reach trade agreements by the end of the 90-day pause.
00:11Negotiations are still ongoing with several key partners, including Australia.
00:16So how is Canberra navigating Trump's tariffs?
00:19Astro Awani's Fei Kuan has the latest from Adelaide.
00:22Australia, like many countries in the world, is facing a 10% base tariff on its exports to the U.S.
00:31But that's alongside a 100% tariff on foreign-produced films.
00:35Now, I've just flown into Melbourne, Australia, but earlier I was in Adelaide
00:38and I was at the office of Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator Don Farrell,
00:43and got to speak to him about his approach and Australia's stance to the matter.
00:47Firstly, what's the progress on Australia's negotiations on U.S.'s tariffs?
00:53And also, how is your government deciding to approach the latest announcement
00:56of a 100% tariff on films produced on foreign lands?
01:00Well, our policy has been, since these announcements,
01:05has to be to try and engage the United States and explain our point of view,
01:11which is we think these tariffs, whether they're on goods generally or on movies,
01:17are counterproductive.
01:20We're a country that has prospered with free and fair trade.
01:27We think that's the best way to lift the living standards of our communities
01:34and we are going to continue to prosecute the argument with the United States
01:39that these tariffs are the wrong way to go
01:44and that we need more free and fair trade
01:47and we're particularly focused on building more opportunities
01:51with Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
01:55That brings me to my next question
01:57because you've reiterated on having a coordinated response with ASEAN
02:01and earlier we were speaking a little bit about Australia's plans
02:04on its diversifying away with other countries.
02:08So where does Malaysia necessarily fit into your diversification strategy
02:13given that 2025 marks 70 years of Australia's diplomatic presence in Malaysia?
02:19Well, we've got a very close relationship with Malaysia
02:23and we think the opportunity there is to build on that relationship.
02:28Our focus right now is building trading relationships with Malaysia
02:36and the other countries in ASEAN.
02:39I've just been on the phone with all of our ASEAN partners
02:44working through how we're going to build and diversify that trading relationship.
02:53There's, I think, an opportunity right now to do that.
02:58We are very willing partners with Malaysia.
03:01We want to do more with Malaysia
03:04and build on that really good relationship that we have at the moment.
03:09All right. Thank you so much, Senator, for your time today.
03:11Australia has been expanding its network of new free trade agreements,
03:17recently sealing deals with the UAE, India and the UK.
03:21Farrell, who also serves as Special Minister of State,
03:24said the country was looking to grow its exports of food and wine
03:27to the ASEAN region, particularly Malaysia.
03:30Malaysia was Australia's 10th largest trading partner from 2023 to 2024,
03:35with total two-way trade valued at RM91 billion.
03:40As ASEAN chair, Malaysia on Wednesday convened a special consultation
03:44with Australia and New Zealand,
03:46co-chaired by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister,
03:48Tengku Datuk Sri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
03:51The meeting reaffirmed commitments under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade area,
03:56including principles of open, transparent and non-discriminatory trade.
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