Australia has rejected China's proposal for cooperation on trade matters, choosing instead to broaden its trade partnerships and lessen its reliance on China, which is its largest trading partner.
The Australian government has turned down a request from Beijing to collaborate on addressing US tariffs, asserting its commitment to diversifying trade and lessening its dependence on China.
In an interview, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles remarked that Australia will not engage in 'hand-holding' with China regarding global competition matters.
Instead, the nation will concentrate on advocating for its national interests and broadening its trade connections internationally.
Australia intends to enhance trade relationships with the European Union, Indonesia, India, the UK, and the Middle East.
Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, had encouraged Canberra to partner with Beijing to uphold the international multilateral trading framework.
Simultaneously, US President
Donald Trump has declared a temporary decrease in tariffs for numerous countries, but will persist in targeting China, raising tariffs from 104% to 125%.
This action is anticipated to further intensify the trade conflict between the two largest global economies, posing a potential risk to Australia, which sends nearly a third of its exports to China.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has cautioned that the persistent uncertainty surrounding US tariffs and other trade barriers may negatively impact business investment and household spending choices in the country.