Trade war 2.0? Trump's new tariffs and the consequences for Australia

The USA is imposing new tariffs— and Australia is not spared. President Donald Trump speaks of a “liberation day,” critics warn of a trade war. Why has Australia been subject to a minimum tariff while other countries are being hit harder? And how is the Australian government responding? In an interview, law expert Prof. Markus Wagner analyses the background, the economic effects and the question of what role the trade conflict plays in reorientation of the affected countries.

President Donald Trump with a graph on reciprocal tariffs at a “Liberation Day” event where he signed an ordinance imposing reciprocal tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C. Source: AAP / Michael Nigro / Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA/AAP Image

Discover more stories, interviews, and news from SBS German in our podcast collection.

Prof. Markus Wagner, Rechtswissenschaftler an der University of Wollongong, ist ein international anerkannter Experte für Handelsrecht, Verfassungsrecht sowie Frieden und Sicherheit. Er berät Regierungen, Unternehmen und internationale Organisationen und ist ein gefragter Medienkommentator. Credit: Supplied