President Donald Trump threatens new tariffs over Aussie tech rules
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Australia has found itself in the crosshairs of a new international tech stoush, and this time, it’s US President Donald Trump rattling the sabre.
If you’ve been following the news, you’ll know that our government has been making some bold moves to regulate the digital world—especially when it comes to protecting our kids and making sure Aussie news outlets get a fair go from the tech giants.
But now, Trump’s latest threats could have some serious consequences for our economy and the way we use technology.
The Australian government is currently pushing through legislation that would ban children under 16 from using social media platforms.
At the same time, they’re also working on the News Bargaining Incentive, which would force digital platforms like Facebook and Google to pay Australian publishers for using their news content.
It’s all about keeping our kids safe online and making sure our local media isn’t left out in the cold.
But not everyone is happy about these changes—especially the big American tech companies.
They’ve been lobbying hard against the social media ban, and Google even threatened to take the government to court when it couldn’t get an exemption for YouTube.
The tech giants argue that these laws are unfair and could hurt their business.
In a fiery post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump warned that he would not stand by while other countries 'attack our incredible American Tech Companies.'
He specifically called out digital taxes, digital services legislation, and digital markets regulations as attempts to harm or discriminate against US technology.
His message was clear: 'I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Country’s Exports to the U.S.A., and institute Export restrictions on our Highly Protected Technology and Chips.'
In other words, if countries like Australia go ahead with these new laws, Trump is threatening to slap hefty tariffs on our exports to the US and restrict our access to American technology.
That’s a big deal, especially for industries like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing that rely on exports to the US.
This isn’t just an empty threat. In June, Canada tried to introduce similar regulations on social media, but after facing pressure from Trump, they backed down.
Even so, Trump still hit them with a whopping 35 per cent tariff. It’s a clear warning that he’s willing to follow through.
Despite the pressure, the Australian government isn’t backing down. A spokesperson said, 'The government is committed to our world-first social media laws.'
They’re also standing firm on the News Bargaining Incentive, with Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino’s office saying they’re consulting with both media and digital platforms to get the best outcome for Australia.
It’s a bold stance, and one that’s likely to win support from many Aussies who are tired of seeing big tech companies call the shots.
But it also raises questions about what might happen if Trump returns to the White House and makes good on his threats.
So, what does all this mean for you? If Trump’s tariffs go ahead, it could make Australian goods more expensive in the US, hurting our exporters and potentially leading to job losses.
It could also make it harder (and more expensive) for us to access the latest American technology, from smartphones to computer chips.
On the flip side, the government’s new laws could help protect our kids from the dangers of social media and ensure our local news outlets get a fair deal.
It’s a tricky balancing act, and one that’s likely to spark plenty of debate in the months ahead.
This isn’t just about Australia and the US. Around the world, countries are grappling with how to regulate big tech companies and protect their own interests.
The European Union has already introduced tough new digital laws, and other countries are watching closely to see what happens next.
Have you or your family been affected by social media, or do you have strong views on how tech giants operate in Australia? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.
Read more: Australia could tax Google, Facebook and other tech giants with a digital services tax – but don’t hold your breath
If you’ve been following the news, you’ll know that our government has been making some bold moves to regulate the digital world—especially when it comes to protecting our kids and making sure Aussie news outlets get a fair go from the tech giants.
But now, Trump’s latest threats could have some serious consequences for our economy and the way we use technology.
The Australian government is currently pushing through legislation that would ban children under 16 from using social media platforms.
At the same time, they’re also working on the News Bargaining Incentive, which would force digital platforms like Facebook and Google to pay Australian publishers for using their news content.
It’s all about keeping our kids safe online and making sure our local media isn’t left out in the cold.
Donald Trump has cautioned that nations introducing measures against US tech giants, including digital taxes or platform bans, may face heavy tariffs on exports to America. Credit: Facebook
But not everyone is happy about these changes—especially the big American tech companies.
They’ve been lobbying hard against the social media ban, and Google even threatened to take the government to court when it couldn’t get an exemption for YouTube.
The tech giants argue that these laws are unfair and could hurt their business.
In a fiery post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump warned that he would not stand by while other countries 'attack our incredible American Tech Companies.'
He specifically called out digital taxes, digital services legislation, and digital markets regulations as attempts to harm or discriminate against US technology.
His message was clear: 'I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Country’s Exports to the U.S.A., and institute Export restrictions on our Highly Protected Technology and Chips.'
In other words, if countries like Australia go ahead with these new laws, Trump is threatening to slap hefty tariffs on our exports to the US and restrict our access to American technology.
That’s a big deal, especially for industries like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing that rely on exports to the US.
This isn’t just an empty threat. In June, Canada tried to introduce similar regulations on social media, but after facing pressure from Trump, they backed down.
Even so, Trump still hit them with a whopping 35 per cent tariff. It’s a clear warning that he’s willing to follow through.
Despite the pressure, the Australian government isn’t backing down. A spokesperson said, 'The government is committed to our world-first social media laws.'
They’re also standing firm on the News Bargaining Incentive, with Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino’s office saying they’re consulting with both media and digital platforms to get the best outcome for Australia.
It’s a bold stance, and one that’s likely to win support from many Aussies who are tired of seeing big tech companies call the shots.
But it also raises questions about what might happen if Trump returns to the White House and makes good on his threats.
So, what does all this mean for you? If Trump’s tariffs go ahead, it could make Australian goods more expensive in the US, hurting our exporters and potentially leading to job losses.
It could also make it harder (and more expensive) for us to access the latest American technology, from smartphones to computer chips.
On the flip side, the government’s new laws could help protect our kids from the dangers of social media and ensure our local news outlets get a fair deal.
It’s a tricky balancing act, and one that’s likely to spark plenty of debate in the months ahead.
This isn’t just about Australia and the US. Around the world, countries are grappling with how to regulate big tech companies and protect their own interests.
For Australia, the challenge is to stand up for our values and interests without sparking a damaging trade war. It’s a delicate dance, and one that will require careful negotiation and a bit of good old Aussie grit.
Read more: Australia could tax Google, Facebook and other tech giants with a digital services tax – but don’t hold your breath
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