SYDNEY, April 10 — The Australian government has firmly rejected a Chinese proposal to form a joint front against U.S. tariffs, reaffirming its commitment to trade diversification and reducing its economic dependence on China, its largest trading partner.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles dismissed the idea of aligning with Beijing, stating on Sky News: “We are not going to be holding hands with China in respect of any contest that is going on in the world. We are not doing that. What we are doing is pursuing Australia’s national interests and diversifying our trade around the world.”
Marles emphasized that Australia is focused on strengthening economic ties with a broad range of global partners, including the European Union, Indonesia, India, the United Kingdom, and countries in the Middle East, as part of a broader strategy to build resilience and reduce risk.
The remarks follow a public appeal by China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, who in an opinion column published in The Age newspaper called for cooperation between the two nations in defense of the multilateral trading system. “Under the new circumstances, China stands ready to join hands with Australia and the international community to jointly respond to the changes of the world,” the ambassador wrote.
The diplomatic exchange comes amid rising global economic tensions, triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday of a 125% tariff on all Chinese imports — a significant increase from the previous 104%. At the same time, Trump declared a temporary suspension of duties on dozens of other nations, although a 10% reciprocal tariff will still apply to Australian goods.
While Australia exports nearly one-third of its goods to China, shipments to the United States account for less than 5% of total exports. Economists have flagged the potential risks posed by ongoing global trade disruptions, with the Reserve Bank of Australia warning that continued tariff volatility could dampen business investment and household spending.
As the global trade landscape shifts, Canberra appears determined to strike a pragmatic balance, steering clear of geopolitical entanglements while reinforcing its economic sovereignty through diversification.
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