Trade

Massive challengeThe interests, values dividing Australia, China

Issues in Australia’s relationship with China go deeper than ever before and are dividing rather than uniting the two nations, according to DFAT secretary Frances Adamson.

Sarah Ison

Best of the WestWA wine producers take COVID-19 hit

But in a glimmer of hope for the industry, the value of wine shipped to global customers rose as drinkers sought out our premium drops.

Ray Jordan

Trade tensionsChina in rush for Aussie wine ahead of looming tariffs

The latest figures on Australian wine exports to China suggest vineyards are getting shipments in quick before tariffs are possibly imposed.

Rebecca Le May

Playing catch-upWool a jumper as China scrambles for supply

Prices have surged in the past few weeks with Chinese processors boosting purchases to meet an expected jump in apparel demand after a coronavirus-related slump.

Ainslie Chandler

Cashing inChina rebound helps to steady shattered global economy

Underpinning the recovery has been an aggressive containment of the coronavirus that has allowed factories to quickly reopen and capitalise on a global rush for medical equipment and technology.

War of wordsMcGowan and Morrison governments in virus ship face-off

The McGowan and Morrison governments have traded barbs, blaming each other as crew from two more ships berthed at Geraldton and Fremantle tested positive for coronavirus.

Joe Spagnolo & Peter Law

‘Entirely unhelpful’Abetz’ communism call ‘hurting’ China relations: WA MP

A Liberal senator who insisted Australian citizens with Chinese heritage denounce the Chinese Communist Party has been accused of doing further damage to Australia’s relationship with Beijing.

Other marketsWA cotton growers look beyond China ban

Farmers working to build up the Kimberley’s burgeoning cotton industry are confident they will survive despite China’s order to its mills not to buy from Australian producers.

Jenne Brammer

Supply fearsChinese mills ordered to stop buying Aussie cotton

Chinese spinning mills have been told to stop buying Australian cotton and the $2b-a-year industry could soon face hefty tariffs.

Annabel Hennessy and Sarah Ison

Trade spatChina barley ban response fails to clear the air

The Australian Government wants more answers from Chinese over the reason for its ban on barley shipments from CBH.

Jenne Brammer

No pushbackIron ore trade safe amid soured Aust-China relations

China’s reliance on Pilbara iron ore will likely prevent it from being used as a lever in trade tensions between Australia and its biggest trading partner, according to local miners.

Tess Ingram

Trade tensionsMinister investigates Chinese go-slow on Aussie coal

Chinese steel mills and power plants have reportedly been told to stop using Australian coking and thermal coal.

Daniel McCulloch

Crucial partnershipMcGowan’s plea for cool heads amid Aust-China ructions

In a veiled swipe against the Federal Government’s handling of its relationship with China, the WA Premier has warned against Canberra acting ‘recklessly’.

Stuart McKinnon

No reliefTariff-hit barley growers ‘must find new markets’

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says it’s up to WA barley growers to diversify into new markets rather than expect a handout.

Sarah Ison

Jobs protectionNew plan for taxpayers to cover half of tradies’ wages

Young tradies will have 50 per cent of their wages covered by the taxpayer through to September next year under a $1.2 billion Federal Budget injection to get youth into work and create 100,000 jobs..

Lanai Scarr and Steve Butler

‘bilateral cooperation’China envoy praises WA friendship amid crisis

China’s acting consul general to Perth Madam Jin Qian has praised WA — saying it will ‘never forget the friendship of Western Australia’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Lanai Scarr

Forecasts adjustedGold, iron ore to hold as coal burns export values

The value of Australia’s resources and energy exports will sink by $34 billion this year after posting a record last financial year, according to new Federal Government forecasts.

Stuart McKinnon

Climbing backBarley price rebounds after China tariff blow

Prices have regained ground since China slapped hefty tariffs on Australian barley in May, and are now trading above their long-term average.

Jenne Brammer

Impost headacheAussie wines face 200pc tariff in China

Australian winemakers fear they could be hit with a huge tariff hike if China’s anti-dumping probe goes against them.

Ray Jordan

Mix it upRio’s port pact to blend iron ore in China

The MoU will allow Rio to also use the Chinese port as a transhipment hub, which could help better serve steel mills in China’s north.

opinion
opinion
China dispute
opinion
The picture that symbolises how vulnerable we are

The MSC Mia is one of the biggest container ships in the world and makes thousands of trips between China and the US each year. Here’s why it represents how vulnerable Australia really is.

Ben HarveyChief Reporter

Power playAustralia should speak its mind with China ‘in private’

One of Australia’s most influential business leaders says the nation must be ‘careful’ with what it says to China as the Communist state flexes its muscle to fill the ‘vacuum left by a retreating US’.

Sarah Ison

Trade warChina’s paper win at WTO doesn’t dissuade Trump

While the ruling handed China a victory on paper, it means little since the US already hobbled the WTO by dismantling its panel that oversees the appeals process.

Bryce Baschuk