Many people on Donald Trump’s staff didn’t know the tariffs were coming and now it’s looking like Trump himself didn’t exactly map out how the tariffs were going to work. It was just a week ago the administration was saying NO one would be exempt from the tariffs. Then suddenly, Canada and Mexico were exempt.
Now comes word from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that Australia will be exempt as well.
Great discussion today on security and trade. Australia/US trade is fair & reciprocal & each of our nations has no closer ally. Thank you for confirming new tariffs won’t have to be imposed on Australian steel & aluminium – good for jobs in Australia and in US! https://t.co/9ZKMw5n1dZ
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) March 9, 2018
Next time the Trump administration issues a policy like this with such enormous implications, it might be a good idea to work out all the details before announcing it publicly. Anyone else want a carve-out?