Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) General Manager Freight Policy & Operations, Tom Jensen, was quoted by Daily Cargo News following the United States' decision to impose a new 12.5% tariff on Australian exports, replacing the previous 10% tariff.
Mr Jensen described the decision as "one of the most significant U.S. trade measures affecting Australian exporters in recent years".
"The immediate concern for industry is the impact on competitiveness in the U.S. market and the rationale for Australia's inclusion, particularly given Australia's existing modern slavery legislation and recent steps to further strengthen that framework," Mr Jensen said.
National Farmers' Federation chief executive Michael Guerin said Australian agriculture was "profoundly disappointed" by the announcement, describing it as "a step in the wrong direction".
"Rather than moving back towards the free and fair trading arrangements that have served both our countries well for two decades, the United States has chosen to further increase barriers to trade, despite Australia's longstanding record of high standards and responsible trade," Mr Guerin said.
Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell also called for the tariffs to be removed.
"These tariffs are unjustified, inconsistent with our free-trade agreement and should be removed," Senator Farrell said.
"Australia's measures to combat forced labour and modern slavery are among the strongest in the world and we are recognised globally, including in the US, for our leadership."
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