A senior trade adviser to U.S. President Trump said Australia is “killing” the U.S. aluminum market and that the Australian prime minister’s efforts to obtain an exemption from U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, which will take effect next month, may be in vain. On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Albanese spoke with Trump by phone, and Albanese said Trump agreed to consider exempting Australia from steel and aluminum tariffs.

Albanese has been under intense pressure from local lawmakers and business executives to obtain an exemption before the May 17 election. Navarro, a senior U.S. trade and manufacturing adviser, accused Australian exporters of flooding the U.S. market and violating the trade agreement between the two countries. “Australia is killing our aluminum market,” Navarro said. “President Trump said, no, no, we will not accept the status quo anymore.” “They are flooding our market.” “This is what we are dealing with. Our aluminum industry is at risk.”