If Australia wants an exemption from American tariffs, the prime minister must ask not what the US can do for his country, but what his country can do for the US.
Shortly before Donald Trump enacted the executive order, Anthony Albanese made Australia's case in a "constructive and warm" call with the US president.
But if Mr Albanese wants to seal the deal, experts say the prime minister's discussions should focus on what Australia brings to the table, like its decades-long trade agreements and shared wartime history.
"One thing some countries will do is come to the US government with complaints," United States Studies Centre research director Jared Mondschein told AAP.
"I don't know how constructive that is.
"Instead, Australia should be using these data points to highlight how they are the model ally for the United States in these times."
The Republican president has said he will give "great consideration" to sparing Australia when it comes to import taxes, despite signing off on a 25 per cent steel and aluminium tariff on all countries.
He imposed similar tariffs on steel and aluminium imports during his first term in 2018, but Australia was able to secure an exemption after about a year of work, according to former ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos.
This time around, the White House is working on an expedited timeline and appears less willing to carve out exemptions.
"I think on national security and other grounds, we have a strong argument," Mr Sinodinos told reporters in Canberra.
"Dealing with this administration, you've always got to be on the front foot, shape the opportunities and not look like you're defensive and just waiting for them to hit you."
However, Mr Mondschein said Australia could have a harder time in discussions because Mr Trump is the "most politically sure-footed leader in the developed world", whereas the prime minister is part of a global trend of incumbent leaders at risk of losing power.
"Prime ministers and presidents are only as powerful as their domestic constituents allow them to be," he said.
"You have a limitation on your power and what you can negotiate if you don't have sufficient political backing."
The US president said Mr Albanese was a "very fine man" and that he would examine an exemption.
"We have a surplus with Australia, one of the few, and the reason is they buy a lot of airplanes," he told reporters at the White House.
"I told (Albanese) that that's something that we'll give great consideration to."
The prime minister said he reminded Mr Trump that the US had a trade surplus with Australia going back decades.
"What I envisage is continuing to act to respond diplomatically. That's how you get things done," Mr Albanese said.
"My government's got a record of getting things done in Australia's national interest, I'll continue to do so."
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stressed bipartisanship from Australia on the need for an exemption to any looming tariff.
"I want there to be a very clear message to the Trump administration that we believe this tariff should not be put in place and if it remains in place I believe it would damage the relationship between the United States and Australia," he told reporters in Canberra.
"I don't think (the tariffs are) warranted, and I strongly support the prime minister in his call for the tariff to be reduced."
Mr Albanese said he was confident about a deal being struck.
"If you have a look at what we've achieved already, it's been a tremendous start to the relationship," he said.
"The relationship is in good shape."
The two leaders also discussed critical minerals and Australian Jordan Mailata being part of the Philadelphia Eagles, who won the NFL Super Bowl on Monday.
