Reported at www.abc.net.au: Australia’s political landscape has historically witnessed significant debates over tariffs and protectionism, particularly in the early years following Federation.

Recently, concerns have arisen due to external pressures from major trading partners like the US and China, yet a bipartisan consensus on maintaining free trade remains strong in Australia, even in the face of potential new tariffs.

Despite a past fraught with conflict over trade policies, the nation has largely embraced free trade, gradually reducing tariffs since the 1970s under various governments.