The Trade Dimension: Effects of U.S. Trade Policy on Australia and China

In a recently held press conference in Canberra, the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, emphasized the significance of American trade policy for the relations between Canberra and Beijing. According to Xiao, the trade policy of the United States, particularly concerning China and other nations, will inevitably impact the bilateral relations between Australia and China. This becomes especially relevant against the backdrop of the future U.S. President Donald Trump announcing his plans to introduce additional tariffs of 10% on Chinese imports. Furthermore, imports from Mexico and Canada are to be subject to tariffs of 25%. Xiao stressed that such protectionist measures are an important factor that both countries need to consider in their deliberations. Thus, the trade landscape could change significantly in the near future, which is likely to have economic implications for both Australia and China.