Trump Tariffs
Trump targets Aussie exports in new trade broadside
Donald Trump has slapped a 10% tariff on Australian exports, dragging local trade into his intensifying economic battle with the rest of the world.
As Andrew Tillett reports in The Australian Financial Review, the move marks the most serious test for the Australia–US alliance in years and has rattled markets already on edge over global recession fears.
The so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs wiped more than $21 billion off the ASX, triggering speculation that the Reserve Bank could deliver multiple rate cuts to cushion the blow.
Albanese doubles down on tech regulation despite trade pressure
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is standing firm on Australia’s media bargaining code, making it clear that Big Tech will continue to be on the hook for funding journalism, regardless of pressure from Washington.
As Sam Buckingham-Jones writes in The Australian Financial Review, the code, which has been flagged by the Trump administration as a trade irritant, remains a cornerstone of the Albanese government’s digital policy agenda.
Speaking in Melbourne just hours after Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement, Albanese listed key non-negotiables in future trade talks, including local content quotas for streamers and protections for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Trump’s tariffs could flip the script on Australia’s fast-food fight
Donald Trump’s new 10% tariff on Aussie beef exports may have an unexpected local twist, tipping the scales in favour of burger chains over fried chicken operators.
As Eli Greenblat writes in The Australian, analysts say fast-food giants like McDonald’s and Hungry Jack’s could score a margin boost if more beef stays in Australia, potentially pushing prices down just as cost-of-living pressures bite.
That’s bad news for Collins Foods, owner of 285 KFC outlets, which relies on locally sourced chicken that isn’t cushioned by export market shifts.
Election 2025
AEC clears Abbie Chatfield over political posts with party leaders
The Australian Electoral Commission has ruled that Abbie Chatfield’s social media content featuring Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt didn’t breach electoral laws.
The AEC had reviewed whether her posts required formal authorisation under rules that apply to political advertising, reports Olivia Ireland in The Sydney Morning Herald.
The scrutiny followed Instagram clips where Chatfield discussed Medicare policy with Albanese and praised Bandt’s leadership, content that, while politically charged, didn’t meet the threshold for requiring an authorisation tag.
Companies
Kim Williams hit with backlash over Rogan comments
ABC chair Kim Williams has revealed the unexpected fallout from dismissing The Joe Rogan Experience, telling a Melbourne Press Club audience he was bombarded with messages, including direct contact from Elon Musk and Kanye West.
As Kishor Napier-Raman and Stephen Brook write in The Sydney Morning Herald, the tech and entertainment heavyweights reached out after Williams publicly criticised Rogan’s podcast late last year.
What followed was a digital storm. Williams described a relentless flood of messages, some vile, that overwhelmed his devices and briefly took over his life
Tesla slips as BYD reclaims EV crown
Tesla has posted its weakest quarterly result since 2022, delivering just 336,681 vehicles, well below analyst forecasts and trailing China’s BYD, which clocked 416,388 units.
As Stephen Morris, Kana Inagaki and Edward White report in The Australian Financial Review, the miss highlights growing competitive pressure abroad and cooling demand at home.
Elon Musk’s EV empire is grappling with a backlash in Europe and a price war in China, as rivals close the innovation gap and push harder into global markets.
Celebrity chef backs wage cap tied to inflation
Restaurateur Neil Perry, speaking on behalf of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, has argued against minimum wage increases above inflation, warning they would drive up menu prices and hit hospitality businesses already under pressure.
In a submission to the Fair Work Commission, the group is calling for a 2% lift, below the expected inflation rate, effectively a real wage cut for the sector’s lowest-paid workers, writes Paul Karp in The Australian Financial Review.
Perry said the current award system is outdated and doesn’t suit the demands of a 24/7 industry.
Social media
Premier tells tech giants to back off on social media age rules
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has called on federal leaders to hold the line against pressure from Big Tech, as social platforms ramp up lobbying efforts to overturn Australia’s under-16 social media ban.
The push comes amid reports of US trade complaints tied to the policy, reports David Penberthy for The Australian.
Malinauskas, who led the charge on the nation’s age restriction laws, dismissed tech industry objections as profit-driven spin.
Meta hit with $2.4bn lawsuit over hate-fuelled content in Africa
Meta is facing a $2.4 billion legal battle after a Kenyan court gave the green light to a landmark case accusing the tech giant of fuelling violence in Ethiopia.
The lawsuit, brought by two Ethiopian nationals, argues Facebook’s algorithm amplified hate speech during the country’s civil war, reports Dan Milmo in The Guardian.
The plaintiffs are demanding Meta overhaul its content systems and invest in more moderators across Africa.
Amazon makes surprise play for TikTok as US ban looms
Amazon has reportedly made a late bid to acquire TikTok, just days before a US ban on the platform is set to kick in.
The ABC reports the offer, detailed in a letter to top US officials, signals a bold move by the retail giant into the social media and digital advertising space.
The Trump administration had set a 5 April deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a nationwide shutdown, citing national security concerns.
Television
Tom Gleisner distances ‘Have You Been Paying Attention’ from Sheargold fallout
Have You Been Paying Attention? host and producer Tom Gleisner has broken his silence on the Marty Sheargold controversy, saying the team hasn’t finalised its guest list but is mindful of the backlash.
“He’s certainly upset a lot of people,” Gleisner told Confidential, adding the show wouldn’t want to cause further distress.
Sheargold, who recently lost his Triple M breakfast gig, sparked outrage with dismissive on-air comments about endometriosis and women’s sport.
Retail
Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand sells out online
Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand As Ever made its retail debut this week, and appeared to sell out within 30 minutes.
The launch included a $22 jar of raspberry jam, wildflower honey, and floral garnish, all snapped up shortly after going live in the US.
But as India McTaggart and Victoria Ward write in The Sydney Morning Herald, insiders suggest the fast sell-out wasn’t accidental.