Australian PM Albanese Plans China Talks Amid US Tensions

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing for a significant visit to China to meet President Xi Jinping, amid complex geopolitical dynamics involving the United States. Australia views China as its largest trading partner, with trade reaching nearly $312 billion in 2024, and both nations are seeking to strengthen ties through collaboration in areas like AI, healthcare, and green energy, with China expressing willingness to revise the trade agreement. Although some domestic critics and media outlets have expressed concern that Albanese is prioritizing China over the US, polling shows most Australians see the China relationship as complex rather than primarily a security threat, and Albanese is generally viewed as competent in managing foreign policy. The US, under President Donald Trump, has imposed tariffs on various allies, and while Australian tariffs remain at 10 percent, there is speculation about potential American reactions to Australia's engagement with China. Experts argue that China is not exploiting US tensions but rather pursuing mutual interests, and the Chinese ambassador has emphasized a positive bilateral relationship. Former US trade advisor Kelly Ann Shaw noted that the visit itself is not problematic, but the outcomes could raise concerns in Washington.