CANBERRA - Australia has rejected a claim from a US counterpart that aluminum exports are "killing" the American market.

Don Farrell, minister for trade and tourism, said on Thursday that Australia increased exports of aluminum to the United States with the approval of former President Joe Biden's administration.

The Australian government is seeking an exemption from President Donald Trump's 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports.

Australia negotiated exemptions from similar tariffs during Trump's first term but the president's counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro told CNN on Tuesday that aluminum imports from Australia are "killing" the US market.

The executive order signed by Trump imposing the new tariffs accused Australia of breaking a verbal agreement to limit aluminum exports to the US to a "reasonable level."

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Farrell said on Thursday that he was unaware of any such agreement being made or continued by the current Australian government, which won power in 2022.

Australia exported 223,000 tonnes of steel and 83,000 tonnes of aluminum to the United States in 2024.

Farrell said that the government has encouraged Australian manufacturers to seek alternative export markets as part of diversification efforts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with Trump over the phone on Tuesday and said that an exemption for Australia from the tariffs is under consideration.