Australia sees no threat to US ties after White House criticism of social media reforms - Asia & Pacific - The Jakarta Post

Asia & Pacific

A person poses while holding a mobile phone, in Sydney, Australia on July 14, 2026. (Reuters/Jeremy Piper)

Australia said on Wednesday it sees no risk to its relationship with the United States after reports that the Trump administration criticized Canberra's plans to target social media algorithms, which critics say would curtail free speech.On Tuesday Australia's center-left Labor government said social media users would be given the choice to opt out of algorithms under draft legislation, effectively allowing them to curate their own feeds.

Social media companies face fines of up to A$109.2 million (US$79 million) for non-compliance with the law.

The Australian Financial Review reported on Wednesday, citing White House spokesperson Kush Desai, that President Donald Trump had "unequivocally warned trading partners against imposing digital services taxes, fines, and other forms of extortion on America's leading technology sector."