Amid global uncertainty, Australia can’t afford to stand still on China
With global trade shifting, Australia faces a choice: engage strategically with China or risk losing ground in the world’s fastest-growing region.
The latest round of US tariffs confirms that the global trade order is undergoing its biggest upheaval since the Second World War.
But while the US doubles down on protectionism, Asia is moving forward. Australia stands at a crossroads: cling to old alliances or define a new strategy that secures our economic future without surrendering our national interests. Standing still is not an option.
This isn’t just about tariffs — it’s about who shapes and controls the supply chains, technologies and standards of the future. The question is not whether Australia engages, but whether we do so as an observer or a strategic player.
While Australia hesitates, others are moving ahead. ASEAN nations are deepening ties with China across infrastructure, clean energy and digital trade. European firms are tapping into China’s consumer and services sectors. Even the US, despite its rhetoric and actions, remains deeply engaged in trade with China.
