Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken another swipe at US President Donald Trump, accusing him of having a "huge ego" after being called "weak".
But what's behind this war of words, and how will it affect Australia's trade negotiations with the US?
A History of Tension
The feud between Trump and Turnbull is nothing new. The two have had a tense relationship since working together during Trump's first administration, when Turnbull was Prime Minister.
But things took a turn for the worse after Turnbull criticized Trump's leadership, particularly his treatment of global allies.
The Latest Salvo
In a recent interview on Bloomberg TV, Turnbull warned that the Trump administration's actions were inadvertently playing into the hands of China.
Trump responded by calling Turnbull a "weak and ineffective leader" who never understood the dynamics in China.
Turnbull fired back, saying that Australia shouldn't live in fear of "offending the huge ego of Donald Trump".
What's at Stake?
The ongoing war of words has sparked debate, particularly in light of the imminent steel and aluminium tariffs.
The Albanese government is trying to negotiate an exemption, but it's unclear if they'll be successful. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has defended Turnbull's time as Prime Minister and called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to secure the tariff exemption.
A Delicate Position
The escalating political back-and-forth has added complexity to the Albanese government's delicate position in trade negotiations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a phone call with President Trump in February, where they agreed that a tariff exemption was "under consideration".
But with the tariffs looming, it's unclear if Australia will be able to secure an exemption.
What Do You Think?
Should Australia stand up to Trump's ego, or is it better to keep a low profile and avoid offending the US President? Let us know in the comments!
