Anthony Albanese says Donald Trump told him Australia and the US will have "a perfect relationship". (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is confident Australia will not suffer any adverse trade tariffs from the United States when Donald Trump is sworn in for his second term as President of the United States of America.
Trump's inauguration will take place on Tuesday morning AEDT and with it comes uncertainty over what will occur, such is Trump's penchant for signing executive orders.
During his first presidency it took him just days to remove the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal on the basis of it being a "great thing for the American worker".
That order was one of 220 in his four-year term.
Trump and former prime minister Scott Morrison had a good relationship. (AP: Susan Walsh)
Ahead of his second presidency Trump has proposed a 60 per cent tariff on Chinese-made products, threatened bordering countries Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent tariffs as retribution for what he says are porous borders and proposed 10 per cent tariffs on imported goods from almost every other nation.
The move is to raise revenue, revive local manufacturing, and give American companies an advantage.
"We'll impose new tariffs so that the products on our stores will once again be stamped with those beautiful words 'made in the USA,'" Trump said at a recent press conference.
Despite those plans Mr Albanese told 7.30 that Trump assured him the relationship will remain "perfect".
"I made the point that the United States has enjoyed a trade surplus with Australia since the Truman presidency," Mr Albanese said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is confident in a good relationship with the US under Donald Trump. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
"It has been there for a long time. The United States is a major investor here in Australia and the relationship between our two economies is so important.Â
"I'm very confident that we will work these issues through because they're in the interests of both Australia and the United States.
"He said that we will have a 'perfect relationship'."
Asked if he had been given a specific assurance from Trump about no extra tariffs being levied against Australia, the prime minister said he had not but suggested that being a partner on multiple fronts would lead to a continued good relationship.
"I expect that the relationship between Australia and the United States will remain strong," Mr Albanese said.
"We are both Five Eyes partners, we have the US Alliance, we have the free trade agreement.
"Also Australia plays a critical role in this region through our engagement with ASEAN and through our engagement with the Pacific Island forum. Australia is a middle power, but we're an important part of this region."
PM concerned about 'escalation' over anti-Semitism
At home the prime minister is facing several issues, with a major one being a rise in anti-Semitism.Â
On Monday police in Sydney charged a woman in relation to anti-Israel graffiti spray-painted on properties in the city's east last month.
That follows Jewish people being targeted in a series of attacks over the summer, including a terror attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, vandalism at another synagogue in Sydney and an attack on the former home of a Jewish leader in Sydney's east.
Peter Dutton and the Coalition have promised tougher sentencing laws for acts of anti-Semitism. (ABC News: Warwick Ford)
There have also been several incidents of arson and hateful vandalism targeting cars and homes.
Mr Albanese has come under pressure to do more but on 7.30 he moved to assure Australians that authorities are doing all they can to manage the situation.
"We are particularly concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism," Mr Albanese said.
"We are concerned about escalation."
"[Authorities] are continuing to monitor the situation, to engage, to share intelligence, and some of that is online.Â
"Operation Avalite announced the first arrest last Thursday evening, and we look forward to anyone who has committed a crime, which is what we're talking about here, being prosecuted to the full force of the law."
On Monday the Coalition said more would be done if they were elected, including the introduction of mandatory sentencing for offenders.
Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson said if the Coalition won government it would introduce minimum sentences of at least six years for Commonwealth terror offences, and minimum sentences of at least 12 months for displaying hate symbols such as flags associated with terror groups.
The prime minister indicated to 7.30 that he would not be looking to introduce mandatory sentencing, but that the government had acted on the issue by introducing legislation to outlaw hate symbols including the swastika.
"Mandatory sentencing is something that can lead to issues which are counterproductive," Mr Albanese said.
"We'll continue to take whatever action is necessary."
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