Australia’s long standing economic, security, and political ties with the Asia-Pacific region have been shaken and stirred with the rise of a more assertive China.
Protracted tensions with Beijing, the country’s largest trading partner, has forced Canberra to re-evaluate its trade, geopolitical positioning, and security partnerships in the region.
The emergence of AUKUS, a trilateral security pact with America and the UK, and the country’s participation in the Quad, along with Japan, India, and America, cements Australia’s position as being on the frontline of America’s Indo-Pacific strategy, designed to counter China’s rise.
At the same time and in a slight contradiction of its security strategy, Australia hopes to continue to grow trade and investment ties with China and the rest of Asia, signified by its participation in two mega regional trade agreements - the Regional Comprehensive Trade Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
- Can Australia benefit from growing trade and investment with Asia and simultaneously expand its security partnerships via AUKUS and the Quad?
- As a major commodities producer, Australia has benefited enormously from mining and metals demand from Asia. As the world decarbonizes, can Australia retain its premier status as the region’s trade and investment partner?
- How is Australian business positioning itself to benefit from RCEP and CPTPP?
- At a time of rising nationalism in Asia, can Australia build cohesive relationships with the region using hard and soft power?
