Warner pressed Greer on why Australia, a key ally, was “hit” with a 10 per cent tariff, citing the long-standing free trade agreement and a trade surplus in the US’ favour. Greer responded the US should be “running up the score” on Australia.

‘Bad math on steroids’

“Senator, Australia has the lowest rate available under the new program,” Greer said, referring to the baseline 10 per cent tariff applied globally. “We’re addressing the $1.2 trillion deficit — the largest in human history — that president [Joe] Biden left us with. We should be running up the score in Australia.”

Warner pushed back: “We have a trade surplus with Australia. We have a free trade agreement. They’re an incredibly important national security partner. Why were they whacked with a tariff?”

Beef over beef

Australia has strict controls on US beef and pork imports due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease. Earlier in the hearing, Greer called these restrictions “specious, fake science grounds”.

Tariffs ‘insulting the Australians’