Australia Declines China’s Offer Alliance Amid U.S. Trade Clash

In the midst of rising global trade tensions, Australia has firmly declined China’s proposal to form a united front against the United States’ escalating tariff regime.

The offer came as Washington, under the Trump administration, introduced a 10% import tax on Australian goods and a staggering 125% tariff on Chinese products—marking a significant escalation in its ongoing trade war with Beijing.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, called for joint resistance, arguing that confronting what he described as the United States’ “hegemonic and bullying behavior” was the only way forward.

“The international community should firmly say no to unilateralism and protectionism,” he urged, positioning China as a partner in defending a fair global trade system.

But Australia isn’t buying it. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made it clear that Australia will not be drawn into what is rapidly becoming a geopolitical tug-of-war. “We will always speak for ourselves. Our national interest comes first,” he said, signaling a strong preference for independence over alignment.

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Defence Minister Richard Marles echoed that sentiment in no uncertain terms. “We’re not about to make common cause with China,” he told Nine News. “I don’t think we’ll be holding China’s hand. Our priority is to diversify our trade, not choose sides.”

While Australia is indeed frustrated by the U.S. tariffs, the government has opted for diplomacy over retaliation. Canberra is currently pursuing further discussions with the White House to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Ambassador Xiao didn’t hold back in his criticism of the U.S., accusing Washington of “weaponizing” trade and threatening to unravel the international economic order. He suggested that Australia and China should work together to uphold the principles of open and fair commerce. But that idea doesn’t align with Australia’s current direction.

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In fact, the Albanese government is actively looking to reduce its economic reliance on China, while also easing the risks associated with growing trade tensions between the world’s two biggest economies. “Eighty percent of global trade doesn’t involve the United States,” Albanese noted. “There are opportunities for Australia, and we intend to seize them.”

To that end, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell has been busy forging new relationships, meeting with his counterparts in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and India. The aim is clear: diversify exports, strengthen trade ties beyond the U.S.-China binary, and build economic resilience.

With growing uncertainty in the global trading system, Australia is choosing its own path—one based on balance, pragmatism, and strategic independence. And for now, that path doesn’t involve picking sides in a trade war.