BLUF
The 2020 Chinese trade sanctions on Australia excluded iron ore and natural gas—and iron ore is vital to the Chinese economy and can't be sourced in volume and quality elsewhere.Summary
Ian Verrender writing in ABC News, makes the following points:
- Australia-China trade relations may have thawed, but tensions remain over Taiwan.
- China's reversal of bans on Australian barley, coal, and wine may have been a coincidence though there could be a broader strategic intent.
- Australia may be curtailing Chinese involvement in developing new "critical minerals" mines.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- Australia’s China policy and national security- The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- How Beijing shot itself in the foot with its trade war with Australia -The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- APR 2023 Australia's barley solution with China shows diplomacy with China does work –UNSW Sydney
- APR 2023 Hopes rise for end to China trade bans after barley tariff deal-Financial Review
