Australian PM Albanese extends lead in polls after Trump tariffs hit | EUROtoday

Anthony Albanese’s Labor occasion has climbed to its highest level in polls in practically a 12 months as Australia heads into an election marketing campaign overshadowed by US president Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs.

The ruling occasion’s assist elevated to 52 per cent on a two-party most popular foundation within the newest Newspoll printed by The Australian on Sunday, up one level from final week and the strongest consequence since May 2024.

The opposition Liberal-National Coalition dropped one level to 48 per cent.

The polling increase comes amid a risky week for world and Australian markets after Mr Trump introduced sweeping tariff hikes on many US buying and selling companions, together with a ten per cent common baseline and a 24 per cent tariff on Australian items.

Australia’s trade-sensitive sectors, together with mining, vitality and agriculture, noticed sharp declines on Friday in response to the announcement.

Australian elections, as a consequence of be held on 3 May, come at a time when cost-of-living pressures and vitality affordability stay main issues for the voters.

Mr Albanese is looking for to develop into the primary Australian chief in 20 years to win a second consecutive time period. However, with Labor holding solely a slim majority within the decrease home, a lack of only a few seats might power the federal government to depend on crossbench assist.

Voters surveyed described Mr Albanese as extra likeable, caring and skilled, whereas opposition chief Peter Dutton was seen as stronger and extra decisive but additionally extra conceited.

Mr Trump’s tariffs have rattled markets throughout Asia, however their affect on Australia has been notably acute given the nation’s dependence on exports to each the US and China.

Mr Albanese criticised Mr Trump’s transfer as “not the act of a friend” and introduced measures to guard Australian industries.

Meanwhile, Mr Dutton mentioned he would work to restore the connection with Washington and claimed that he might have secured a greater final result if he had been in energy.

Polling suggests Australians maintain a broadly unfavorable view of Mr Trump. A Redbridge ballot from March discovered 59 per cent of respondents had an unfavourable opinion of the US president.