Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell stated in a recent interview that Australia will not engage in the Trump administration's pressure tactics against China. He emphasized that trade with China is ten times more important to Australia than trade with the U.S.

According to Australian government statistics, for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Australia's total exports to China will reach AUD 212 billion, while exports to the U.S. are only AUD 37 billion, highlighting a significant disparity between the two. Farrell asserted that Australia will determine its policies toward China based on national interests, rather than blindly following the U.S. position.

Following the federal election on May 3, Farrell held talks with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and trade representatives, presenting an amendment proposal for tariff elimination. However, he stressed that Australia is not in a hurry to seek tariff reductions and stated, 'We will not compromise for the sake of an agreement; we will only sign if it aligns with our national interests.'

Under the Trump administration's global tariff policy, products exported from Australia to the U.S. are subject to a baseline tariff rate of 10%, with steel and aluminum facing an additional 25% tariff, adversely impacting Australia's steel and aluminum industries. Recently re-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to meet with Trump next month for their first face-to-face discussion, with expectations that Trump will pressure Australia to reduce trade with China.

Interestingly, the high tariff policies of the Trump administration have inadvertently enhanced trade relations between Australia and China. On April 28, the Australian Meat Industry Council announced that for the first time, 10 Australian meat companies were approved to export lamb and goat meat to China, setting a record for exports. Furthermore, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the Sino-U.S. tariff war has created opportunities for Australian beef exports, with over 20,000 tons of grain-fed beef exported to China in February and March 2024, a nearly 40% year-on-year increase.