Australia Rejects China Trade Unity Call, Pursues EU Talks

Australia has firmly rejected China's proposal to collaborate against U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, with Defence Minister Richard Marles stating, 'We’re not about to make common cause with China.' Instead, Australia is focusing on diversifying its trade relationships, particularly with the European Union, Indonesia, and India. This response comes as China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, called for a united front against the tariffs in an opinion piece. The U.S. has recently intensified its trade war with China, raising tariffs significantly, which has raised concerns about potential impacts on global trade and Australia's economy. Australia's commitment to diversifying trade aims to reduce reliance on China amidst these tensions. While trade discussions with the EU are set to resume, the Australian government has not engaged with China regarding its overture.