Singapore's PM Lee edges towards Australia on China joining trade pact
It is difficult to ignore the spectre of China at the ASEAN summit in Melbourne, even though the country is not even present at the event.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has long been a supporter of China joining the Trans-Pacific free trade agreement which encompasses much of the region, describing its possible admission in 2022 as “good” for the trade bloc. The position has been in contrast to Australia's, which is that Beijing cannot join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) while it is still engaging in economic coercion against other countries. Including, most famously, Australia.
But in his joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australia-ASEAN Special Summit in Melbourne on Tuesday, Lee edged closer to Australia’s position. While saying he would welcome China joining the trade agreement, it needs to meet the “standards and requirements of the CPTPP" and work out its remaining issues with its members such as Australia. While China has lifted its restrictions Australian coal and barley, there are still sanctions in place on wine, beef and lobster.
“It is not for me to comment on trade restrictions and issues between Australia and China,” Lee said after meeting with Albanese and vowing to use their comprehensive strategic partnership to work more together on green energy and critical technologies.
“I am aware that there are issues with lobster, beef and… wine. I know that there were more of these issues before and some of the restrictions have lapsed or have been lifted. And I read your trade minister [Don Farrell] saying that it looks reasonable that the remaining restrictions will be worked out within this year.
