Australian diplomats have issued a strongly worded statement criticising Beijing’s use of economic coercion and warning that its behaviour could undermine the global trading system. Australia’s ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), George Mina, released the statement as part of the global body’s regular Trade Policy Review process. It said that while increased engagement…

Western Australian (WA) Premier Mark McGowan has lauded the state’s relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while lamenting the lack of appreciation from Australia’s eastern states for the country’s trading ties with China. His comments come amid ongoing tensions in the Australia-China relationship due to Beijing-instigated foreign interference, industrial-scale cyberattacks, and economic coercion. “It…

A new report released by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) on Wednesday urges Australia to take action on China’s coal export bans to avoid similar future attacks on Australia’s iron ore trade. “In the event that an iron ore glut emerges over coming years, Australian miners could be susceptible to the same kind of discriminatory action…

Australian iron ore exporters aren’t feeling any effects of Beijing’s ongoing economic sanctions against Australian exports, as China’s colossal demand for the mineral drive prices up to a 10-year high. Rio Tinto, an iron export giant, said their Australian iron ore assets had excellent operating performance in the first quarter of 2021. In the report…

Steelmaker Molycop has warned it could lay off 300 jobs—over half of its Australian workforce—if the Anti-Dumping Commission does not agree to raise tariffs on Chinese competitors. President of Molycop’s Australian branch, Michael Parker, told The Australian that the company would consider ending local steel production and instead manufacture their products with cheap Chinese imported…

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard told Sky News, Beijing is “using Australia as a proxy punching bag” for the United States. As one of Australia’s longest-serving prime ministers, Howard made efforts to deepen the nation’s relationship with China. But since leaving office in 2007, he has perceived Beijing to become more “aggressive,” resulting in…

Chinese investment in Australia plummeted by more than 61 percent in 2020, according to new data from The Australia National University (ANU). This follows the continual downward trend of Chinese investment in Australia since the 2015-16 financial year. The university’s Chinese Investment in Australia (CHIIA) Database reported that the total investment in 2020 added up to just over A$1 billion (US$775…

Exports from a major Tasmanian salmon producer are finding a new home away from China, in response to Beijing’s 2020 trade war against Australia. Huon Aquaculture made the decision early last year to diversify from China, with the onset of the trade dispute reinforcing the company’s direction, according to an investor announcement (pdf). “Increased diversification…

Canada and Russia will join Australia’s World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), citing concerns over the wider ramifications a ruling could have on global barley markets. In May, the CCP imposed 80 percent worth of tariffs on Australian barley imports as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged “dumping” of…