Radio Interview, ABC Radio National

SUBJECTS: Steel and Aluminium Tariffs; US relationship; Support for Ukraine

SALLY SARA, HOST: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, is my guest. Mr. Marles, welcome back to Radio National Breakfast.

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Morning, Sally, how are you?

SARA: Very well, thank you. Is it a foregone conclusion that tariffs may be coming for other products and sectors of the economy?

MARLES: Well, we'll continue to make the argument about why this trade should be tariff free and why that's obviously in the interest of Australia, but why it's also in the interests of the United States. I mean, that said, the policies of the Trump Administration are well known, and they were well known right back during the US election, and they're being implemented since President Trump has been inaugurated across the world in respect of all of America's trading partners. So, we're under no illusion as to what we're facing. But equally, we will continue to make the case for why exemptions in relation to Australia are appropriate in the context of our overall relationship, but why they're also very much in the interests of not only Australia, but of the United States.

SARA: Canada has hit back against these US tariffs, so has the EU and others. What's the Federal Government's thinking in the reason for not retaliating?

MARLES: Well, we'll act in our national interest first and foremost, and we will look at all ways in which we can respond and how that might be calibrated. But in terms of doing retaliatory tariffs, that would not be in the interests of the Australian economy, of Australian workers. So, we're not about to do anything which is an act of self harm. And really, this is ultimately the point here. I mean, tariffs are an act of self harm. This is not going to do the American economy any good and we're not about to engage in harming the Australian economy. So, the way in which we will conduct ourselves going forward is very much focusing on Australia's national interests. And that's as it should be.

SARA: The Prime Minister has been unable to get another phone call with President Donald Trump. What's happening there? Why has that call not happened as yet?

MARLES: Well, I mean, we continue to engage with the United States. Obviously there was an earlier call with President Trump in relation to this. But we'll continue to be putting our case and putting our case at every level, which is what we must do and what we are doing. And you know, but we are dealing with a government in the Trump Administration who have imposed a policy which, to be fair, them is one that they took to the last US election, but they're imposing in respect of all their partners. 

SARA: The U.S. of course, is our number one security partner and Australia has the AUKUS deal with the United States and also with the UK. Is it concerning to the government that there hasn't been such a phone call taking place, a more recent call with the PM and the President?

MARLES: Well, I mean, if we're talking about AUKUS and our defence relationship, our security alliance, it really is a separate issue. And in relation to that, we've had, you know, with my counterpart, Secretary Pete Hegseth, a few weeks ago in person in Washington. Every indication that we've heard from the United States has been positive in relation to AUKUS. And again, that makes sense because, you know, what we are doing in relation to AUKUS is enabling a greater production rate, sustainment rate of Virginia class submarines, which gives rise to a greater availability of those submarines for the United States Navy. I mean, AUKUS is very much in Australia's interest as well, because it gives us a long range submarine capability the likes of which we've never had before. But the way this deal was structured was that it really works for all three countries. And every indication we have had, not just in terms of word, but in terms of deed voting behaviours in the Congress has been that the Trump Republicans are supportive of AUKUS.

SARA: Were the comments by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the days leading up to the revelation of this decision, were those comments helpful to the government in your view?

MARLES: Look, I think former Prime Ministers are going to have their say. I mean, that's one lesson I've learnt in the entire time that I've been in politics. And there are a number of former Prime Ministers who have walked down that path. But I also think that governments understand that the people who speak for Australia right now are the government of the day. And so, you know, Malcolm Turnbull is going to say what he's going to say that's really ultimately a matter for him. But he doesn't speak for the Australian Government today, nor is he a certain that he does. And I don't think anyone in America would assume that. So, fundamentally, you know, the relationship obviously is being conducted by the government of the day. And I don't think Malcolm Turnbull's comments made that much difference.

SARA: The Federal Industry Minister Ed Husic has described the implementation of these tariffs by the U.S. as quote, a dog act. Do you agree with that?

MARLES: Well, it's really disappointing, there's no doubt about that. And it's disappointing because it is an act of self harm for the United States. But it's also disappointing in the context of our relationship with the United States. We've had a free trade agreement with the US which has been in place for a very long time now, and it's been of great benefit to both countries. We are two very close partners and friends. We are allies in a security sense, but we are partners and friends economically and our economic relationship. And that's been of great benefit to Australia, but it's been really good for American workers. And, you know, so what the Americans have decided in respect of this is very disappointing. And we make no bones about that.

SARA: You're listening to ABC Radio National. It's 20 to 8 and I'm speaking with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. Minister, to take you back into your portfolio, a ceasefire in Ukraine is suddenly back on the table. European Defence Ministers have met and Australian representatives have also attended. What's come out of those talk?

MARLES: Well, we did have a representative at that planning meeting which is really looking at what potential arrangements might be put in place in the event that there is a ceasefire that can be secured, but also ways in which we can continue to support Ukraine through this conflict. And there will be more conversations and more meetings of that kind. We were one of 37 countries that participated in the meeting and in the last 48 hours. But as I say, there'll be more meetings going forward in relation to this. And as we've been saying, any requests that come forward from our friends and allies in Europe in relation to how we can best support Ukraine, we will consider in good faith and look at ways in which we can provide that assistance. In terms of the ceasefire and the news that's come out of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, it is a positive step that we are seeing the agreement or the arrangement that's been made between the United States and Ukraine. This now gives Russia an opportunity to end its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine and to ultimately bring about a peace here. And I think it is now incumbent upon Russia to seize this moment and to end its appalling acts of aggression against Ukraine.

SARA: This meeting of European Defence Ministers, at which an Australian representative also attended, was the prospect of Australia sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine discussed at all?

MARLES: Well, certainly the various scenarios about how there can be some form of engagement in the event that there is a peace, was very much on the agenda. And that's going to be an ongoing discussion as we see events play out in Ukraine and we understand the terms, if this is what occurs, of any peace that is able to be achieved in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. And we really need to see that play out. But people are working that through and in that event, and we get a more crystallised request in respect of how Australia might make a contribution, that's obviously something that we will give full consideration to.

SARA: Richard Marles, thank you for your time this morning.

MARLES: Was a pleasure Sally. 

Ends