The Economy, Stupid When Trade Wars Hit Home
Sep 11, 2025
Amelia Terzon, an ABC National business reporter, and Felicity Dean, a trade law expert from the Queensland University of Technology, dive into the impacts of new U.S. trade barriers on Australian businesses. They discuss how rising tariffs are squeezing small retailers and complicating shipping regulations. The conversation shifts to the legal battles surrounding these tariffs and their potential consequences on the separation of powers. The urgency of navigating chaotic grant applications and future Supreme Court decisions adds to the pressing stakes for international trade.
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Tariffs Hit Everyday Sellers
- Tariffs that look like distant geopolitics can immediately disrupt everyday exports and shipping.
- Peter Martin warns that recent US moves have already made posting to the US very difficult for Australian sellers.
De Minimis Exemption Removed
- The removal of the US de minimis exemption forces low-value packages to face import tariffs.
- Felicity Dean explains the previous $800 threshold no longer shields many small shipments.
Country Of Origin Determines Tariff
- Shippers can choose a flat fee or pay the tariff rate for six months, but rules vary by country of origin.
- Felicity Dean warns origin rules mean goods assembled in Australia may still carry China's tariff rates.