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Anthony Albanese has spoken to his counterpart Keir Starmer as the British prime minister rallies world leaders, urging them to resist an all-out trade war in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.

Starmer held phone conversations with both the Australian prime minister and Georgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, on Friday evening, with a Downing Street spokesman saying they “all agreed that an all-out trade war would be extremely damaging” and was in “nobody’s interests”.

A spokeswoman for Albanese said the pair had reaffirmed support for “free and fair trade” and the need for leaders to ensure that there was not an escalation of trade impediments.

Downing Street said the UK’s response to 10 per cent tariffs on goods and 25 per cent on British cars would be guided by the national interest, and that Starmer would calmly continue with preparatory work, rather than rush to retaliate.

“While the global economic landscape has shifted this week, it has been clear for a long time that like-minded countries must maintain strong relationships and dialogue to ensure our mutual security and maintain economic stability,” he said.