Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a fresh plea for Australia to be given relief from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs during a phone call between the two leaders overnight Thursday. Trump agreed to “consider” the request. Albanese described the wide-ranging conversation as productive, constructive and “very warm”. He told a Friday news conference he asked Trump to “consider a full exemption” from the recently imposed 12.5% tariff, “or at the very least no increase” from the earlier 10% tariff. Australia makes repeated representations against Trump’s tariffs.The 12.5% has been imposed on a range of countries, including Australia, on the pretext they haven’t dealt with forced labour issues adequately.In the discussion, Albanese pointed to Australia’s record on issues such as modern slavery, as well as reminding Trump of the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement. Australia and the president had different positions on tariffs, Albanese said. “But I did ask that Australia’s position as a friend of the United States be considered and the president agreed that he would give consideration to my request.”Albanese said he and Trump would engage further when the prime minister visits the US at least twice in coming months. He will be at the United Nations in New York in September and then the G20 in Florida in December. The discussion also covered the Middle East, regional issues, AUKUS, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. Albanese said they also canvassed “a few personal issues” that he didn’t detail, and said the president had asked for “his best wishes [to be passed on] to the people of Australia”.Heavy vehicle reforms to boost productivityA Friday meeting of federal, state and territory treasurers endorsed heavy vehicle reforms designed to boost productivity. It is estimated the changes will increase GDP by up to $4.4 billion a year, making for a better road freight service that will benefit suppliers and consumers. The federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Productivity Reform package will provide $400 million to the states and territories to implement the reforms. They include harmonising access for truck drivers crossing state borders; getting more zero-emissions trucks onto the roads by removing regulatory barriers and improving the availability of charging infrastructure, and strengthening drivers’ skills. The funding will come from the $900 million National Productivity Fund. Government signals disagreement with Productivity Commnission’s GST reportTreasurers were briefed at their meeting by the head of the Productivity Commission, Danielle Wood, on the commission’s interim report on the distribution of the GST. This report recommends unwinding the generous deal that current arrangements give Western Australia. The deal was put in place by the Morrison government.But Treasurer Jim Chalmers said “without pre-empting [the commission’s final report later this year] the Albanese government has been clear that Western Australia must always get its fair share”. The commission’s review was required under legislation rather than being ordered by the government.The eastern states attack WA’s special treatment under the present arrangements. But Labor holds the bulk of federal seats in that state, which influences its position on calls for change.Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.