Albanese says Australia will not negotiate with US on news bargaining code
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The news: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government’s plans to force tech giants to pay news publishers for their content are “not up for negotiation” amid escalating concerns over trade retaliation from the Trump administration.
The context: Albanese addressed concerns over US President Trump’s escalating global trade war after the United States Trade Representative on Tuesday morning released a new report on foreign trade barriers.
The report highlighted Australia’s plans to enforce the 2021 News Media Bargaining Code by introducing a “financial penalty” included in a new policy dubbed the News Bargaining Incentive. It also highlighted trade issues around beef, pork, poultry, apples and pears, and pharmaceutical product patents.
What they said: “Those issues are not up for negotiation from the Australian government. We would defend Australia’s interests. The idea that we would weaken biosecurity laws is really that, as my mum would say, cutting off your nose to spite your face,” Albanese told reporters in Adelaide on Tuesday morning.
“In order to defend the exports that total less than 5% of Australia’s exports, you undermine our biosecurity system — not on my watch. On my watch, our biosecurity system is essential. We’ll negotiate sensibly, but we won’t undermine the biosecurity system. These are the issues that we have been discussing with the US administration. Those discussions are ongoing. I want to see a constructive outcome, but what I won’t do is undermine our national interest.”
The source: Press Conference
