A new front is opening in America’s trade war, with US tech giants calling on the Trump administration to target the “threat” posed by Australia’s social media laws.

Apple, Meta, Google, Amazon and Elon Musk’s X are lobbying against Australia’s “coercive and discriminatory” media tax, according to reports.

Members of America’s Computer and Communications Industry Association have written to the Office of the US Trade Representative, complaining about Australia’s tech rules.

Specifically, the media heavyweights are upset with the News Media Bargaining Incentive, which aims to charge social media platforms to help fund Australian news content.

The CCIA highlighted the bargaining incentive as an example of “discriminatory” taxing of digital products and services.

It’s the latest example of American firms taking advantage of US President Donald Trump’s trade war to push their case.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to stand up for Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme against any attacks from US Big Pharma.

Silicon Valley’s tech leaders are upset at being forced to “subsidise Australian media companies” through the imposition of a “coercive and discriminatory tax”.

The new version of Australia’s scheme, announced in December, would require social media platforms to pay for news content.

“Currently, the two companies targeted by the law pay A$250 million annually through deals that were coerced through the threat of this law,” the CCIA said.

“However, with the threat of the new ‘incentive’ tax from the Australian government (rate yet to be determined), this cost is likely to significantly increase.”

In December, the Albanese government announced that tech companies would have to strike deals with Australian publishers or pay a new tax.

The news bargaining incentive would force big tech companies with more than $250 million in Australian-based revenue to pay the Commonwealth or enter deals with publications, regardless of whether they carried news.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said the charge was designed to encourage companies to strike deals with publishers, rather than drum up revenue for the Commonwealth.

US Big Pharma

On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the nation’s $18-billion pharmaceutical scheme was “not for sale”, amid fears the US may soon target prescription medications for tariffs.

The promise came as the government spruiked its pledge to cap Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme-listed medicines at $25 a script on Thursday.

Labor has promised to cut the maximum amount patients pay for prescription medicines listed on the scheme from $30 to $25 from January 1 if it is re-elected later this year.

The Coalition was quick to match the proposal.

“Our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is not for sale. Labor created it, Labor is strengthening it, and under Labor, it never will be on the negotiating table,” Albanese told ABC Radio Melbourne on Thursday.

Amid concerns that the powerful “Big Pharma” lobby group is urging Trump to add Australian medicine manufacturers to his tariff hit list, Albanese said he would “always stand up for our national interest”.

“What we’re going to do is continue to advocate for Australia’s national interests, not the interests of Big Pharma,” he said.

“The act of increasing tariffs, of course, is always an act of self harm, putting increased costs on people who are consumers, where the tariff is imposed, increased costs on them doesn’t change the costs of Australians.

“What I’m concerned about is looking after Australians. That’s my priority, and we will always stand up for our national interest.”

Trump has already imposed blanket tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the US. Another wave of trade penalties is expected in April.

-with AAP