U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Newly Released DOJ Epstein Files Expose High-Profile Connections Across Politics and Business 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
NATO to Discuss Strengthening Greenland Security Amid Arctic Tensions 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
U.S. President Donald Trump is considering exempting Australia from newly reinstated steel and aluminium tariffs after a phone call with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Trump’s decision to reimpose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports removed previous exemptions and duty-free quotas, raising concerns over a potential trade war.
Albanese presented Australia’s case for an exemption, emphasizing the country’s trade surplus with the U.S. Trump acknowledged the surplus, noting that Australia buys many American airplanes. "We have a surplus with Australia. One of the few. That’s something we’ll give great consideration to," Trump said, describing Albanese as a "very fine man."
Australia, a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific, is the world's largest exporter of iron ore but accounts for only 1% of U.S. steel imports and 2% of aluminium imports. Australian-processed steel plays a crucial role in U.S. military shipbuilding under the AUKUS defence pact, reinforcing shared security interests.
Trump had previously exempted Australia from tariffs during his first term. Albanese remains optimistic about securing an exemption, citing a strong start to his relationship with Trump. Foreign Minister Penny Wong attended Trump’s inauguration, while Defence Minister Richard Marles recently met U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Australia’s Aluminium Council is assessing the potential impact of the tariffs. The Australian government continues to negotiate, highlighting the economic and security benefits of its trade with the U.S.
