Greg Moriarty, Australia's new ambassador to the United States, said he will oppose the Trump administration's new tariff proposal.
This diplomatic stance signals a potential escalation in trade tensions between the two allies. The move reflects Australia's concern that new U.S. trade barriers could destabilize its economic interests and disrupt established commercial ties.
Moriarty spoke in Washington, D.C., on June 13, 2026 [1]. He said the Trump administration's current tariff plan is "extremely disappointing" and that he intends to challenge the policy directly.
"I will robustly push back on the Trump administration's extremely disappointing new tariff proposal," Moriarty said [1].
The ambassador indicated that the Australian government may not fight this battle alone. He said the diplomatic effort could extend to the private sector to create a broader front of opposition against the proposed duties.
"We may recruit Australian businesses to help take up the fight," Moriarty said [1].
This strategy involves leveraging the influence of corporations that operate in both markets to lobby the U.S. government. By aligning diplomatic goals with business interests, Moriarty aims to demonstrate the mutual economic damage that the tariffs could cause, potentially affecting supply chains and consumer prices in both nations.
While the U.S. and Australia maintain a strong security partnership, the current disagreement over trade policy highlights a friction point in the bilateral relationship. Moriarty's arrival in Washington coincides with a period of renewed protectionism in U.S. trade policy, placing the ambassador at the center of high-stakes negotiations.
“"I will robustly push back on the Trump administration's extremely disappointing new tariff proposal."”
The decision to enlist private businesses in a diplomatic fight suggests that traditional government-to-government negotiations may be insufficient to move the Trump administration's position. By framing the tariffs as a threat to corporate profitability and market stability, Australia is attempting to create internal U.S. pressure from the business community to secure exemptions or a reversal of the policy.
