Malcolm Turnbull lashes ‘pusillanimous’ ABC over Trump trade questions as deadline looms

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has accused the ABC of being “pusillanimous”, after two prominent journalists questioned whether it had been wise to antagonise US President Donald Trump while Australia is still seeking tariff exemptions.

Mr Turnbull, who secured an exemption from the last round of Trump tariffs in 2018, argued on Bloomberg TV that Mr Trump’s plans to impose imposts on allies played into China’s hands, prompting the President to accuse the former PM in a late-night social media post of being a “weak and ineffective leader”.

Australian steel and aluminum are set to be lumped into the broad-based 25 per cent tariff regime set to come into effect on Wednesday, but talks are still ongoing between officials.

On Tuesday morning, ABC Radio National host Sally Sara asked Turnbill whether it had been smart to brandish Mr Trump as a “bully” while Australia is still trying to secure an exemption.

In response, Mr Turnbull attacked the ABC for its line of questioning, saying he had been subject to similar on Monday’s 7.30.

“Are you suggesting that we should engage in self-censorship in Australia for fear of offending the huge ego of Donald Trump?” he asked Sara.

“Is that really the state that we’ve got to? Surely we should be free to speak the truth. Or are we going to muzzle ourselves for fear of offending Mr. Trump?”

Responding to further questions, he went on: “Has the ABC become so pusillanimous that you’re seriously suggesting that we shouldn’t be free to speak the truth in Australia, for fear of Donald Trump?”

“Is that the depths you’ve sunk to?”

“Are you suggesting that we should engage in self-censorship in Australia for fear of offending the huge ego of Donald Trump?” he asked.

As the testy interview continued, Mr Turnbull said “I believe in Australia and I believe in standing up for Australia and I think... apparently you don’t”.

In response, Sara asked Mr Turnbull not to “put words in my mouth”, telling him it was her job to “ask questions about your comments and this is in a time where t here’s a significant... trade decision under way”.

Mr Turnbull had told 7.30’s Sarah Ferguson the night before he “never thought I’d have to defend free speech here... and you’re a little bit embarrassed raising that with me, aren’t you”

Describing himself as a supporter of the ABC, Mr Turnbull told Sara on Tuesday morning countries must stand up to the President, arguing Mr Trump would continue to demand concessions because this was a different presidency.

“This time there will be no exemptions, and they will apply right across the board,” he said.

He said Anthony Albanese and ambassador Kevin Rudd have done “as good a job as they can” in making the case for an exemption, but that circumstances were different and “we have to face up to that”.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had earlier distanced himself from Mr Turnbull.

“The Prime Minister has responsibility, as Malcolm Turnbull did when he was prime minister to negotiate with the then-Trump administration for an exemption to tariffs,” Mr Dutton said.

Asked on Sunrise if he would tell Mr Turnbull to “back off”, Mr Dutton said he would not.

“I think the most important thing is for the Prime Minister to pick up the phone and speak with the President, and for the Trade Minister to speak to his counterpart, and for the Treasurer to speak to his counterpart, and for the Foreign Minister to speak with her counterpart,” he said.

“They’re the important discussions going on – or that should be going on at the moment – because without those discussions we won’t get an exemption from the trade tariff, and we should.

“I think that’s in the hands of the Prime Minister at the moment. Instead of squibbing it, the PM’s got to step up to the plate and start dealing with the realities and make sure that Australia is exempt from this tariff.”

Mr Albanese on Monday said Australia was continuing to engage “constructively” with the US, arguing tariff exemptions were in the economic interests of both Canberra and Washington

“We are partners with the United States through our free trade agreement and will continue to advocate for Australia’s national interests,” he said.

“And I’m engaging as well with Australian companies or based companies such as Rio Tinto and BlueScope to seek a positive outcome.”