Part 7/8:
In essence, Australia’s showdown with US tariffs ended with a modest victory—maintaining a 10% baseline tariff instead of facing steeper or more damaging tariffs. While this is an improvement compared to other nations like Canada or New Zealand, the reality remains that Australia didn't truly "escape" the tariff landscape. The US imposed a default tariff rate that was always within Trump's framework, making it more of a survival than a victory.
The political narrative of triumph may persist, but pragmatic observers recognize that Australia’s options are limited. Diplomatic negotiations will continue, but with the current strategies, significant concessions from the US seem unlikely in the near future.