said Australia could not muzzle itself in an attempt to appease Donald Trump and win an unlikely exemption to incoming tariffs, during a fiery interview with the ABC in which he accused the public broadcaster of being "pusillanimous".Turnbull, whose recent criticisms of Trump's "abusive" and "chaotic" approach to the global economy sparked a furious social media response from the US president yesterday, appeared on ABC Radio National Breakfast this morning to discuss the looming tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium.The former prime minister, who secured an exemption from similar Trump tariffs in 2018, was questioned about whether his criticism of the US president would undermine Australia's case for another let-off this time around – a suggestion Turnbull hit back at.
Malcolm Turnbull has taken issue with the ABC's questioning of him over his recent criticism of Donald Trump. (Alex Ellinghausen/SMH)"Are you suggesting that we should engage in self-censorship in Australia for fear of offending the huge ego of Donald Trump?" he said."Is that really the state that we've got to? Surely we should be free to speak the truth. Or are we going to muzzle ourselves for fear of offending Mr Trump?"While describing himself as a defender of the ABC during the interview, Turnbull took issue with the national broadcaster's line of questioning."Is the ABC becoming so pusillanimous that you're seriously suggesting that we shouldn't be free to speak the truth in Australia for fear of Donald Trump?" he said."Is that the depths you've sunk to?"Pusillanimous means weak or cowardly.
Trump hit out at Turnbull yesterday over his criticisms that the US president's "chaotic" policies were playing into China's hands. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)Turnbull also told ABC host Sally Sara that "I believe in Australia and I believe in standing up for Australia and I think, I'm sorry, apparently you don't", to which she told him to not "put words in my mouth, with respect"."It's my job to ask questions about your comments and this is at a time where there's a significant trade decision underway," the long-time radio presenter said.Australian officials, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers and US Ambassador Kevin Rudd, have been working hard to secure an exemption to Trump's incoming 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel imports into the US.ANALYSIS: Cracks are forming in the US economy. Trump is a big reason whyTurnbull said although the Albanese government had been doing "as good a job as they can in making the case" for an exemption, it was unlikely to bear fruit."I hope they are successful, (but) it's just a different circumstance (to the 2018 exemption he secured)."We have to face up to that.""This time there will be no exemptions and they will apply right across the board," he added.