Australian PM sees "opportunities" with regional partners following U.S. tariffs

CANBERRA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that the country has "enormous opportunities" with regional partners in the wake of sweeping U.S. tariffs.

Albanese said on Wednesday that Australia can capitalize on U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to implement widespread tariffs by boosting trade with Asia.

The prime minister told reporters on the campaign trail for the May 3 general election that his governing Labor Party is best suited to take advantage of Australia's geographical position.

"There are enormous opportunities for Australia to take advantage of where we are in the world," Albanese said.

On Wednesday, he said that he would not call President Trump to negotiate an exemption for Australia from the tariffs.

"That's not the way I deal with leaders," he said.

"The two conversations I've had with President Trump are ones in which I stand up for Australia's national interest and I will always do that."

In addition to Asia, the Labor government has identified increased trade with Europe as an opportunity to take advantage of the tariffs. Don Farrell, the minister for trade, will on Wednesday night hold talks with European Union counterparts to restart stalled free trade agreement negotiations.■