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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Caitlin Cassidy explains to Julia Hollingsworth

An Australian politician called Trump’s tariffs a ‘dog act’ – but what does it mean and how offensive is it?

Australia United States Caitlin Donald Trump Ed Husic
A yellow labrador medical detection dog.
What is the meaning of the Australian slang ‘dog act’? Although the phrase Labor MP Ed Husic used to describe Trump’s tariffs on Australia features the word ‘dog’, it has nothing to do with the humble canine. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Caitlin, this week Australia’s industry minister, Ed Husic, called US president Donald Trump’s tariffs on aluminium and steel a “dog act”. I grew up in New Zealand, a country so close to Australia and yet so free from the phrase “dog act”. Please tell me – what does it mean, and does it have anything to do with dogs?

Your nation has missed out on a truly scathing critique.

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