November 2024
- Opinion
- Trade wars
How Australia and Japan can keep global trade going
Middle powers can’t do much unilaterally but are large enough to mobilise coalitions for change to keep the world economy open and save the multilateral trading system.
September 2024
- Opinion
- World politics
Kishida was better on the foreign stage than at home
The outgoing Japanese PM strengthened international ties and was decisive on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, he missed the opportunity to fix the economy.
July 2024
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Australia can’t afford for economic security to trump trade in Asia
Economic diplomacy that builds interdependence with China in critical minerals and green energy will contribute to Australian prosperity and security, not detract from it.
May 2024
- Opinion
- East Asia Forum
US, China protectionism race benefits no one
To counter competition from China, the United States is becoming more like China, and Australia and other nations have joined the game.
April 2024
- Opinion
- East Asia Forum
How long before the yen is again a safe-haven bet?
If inflation remains positive and interest rates continue to rise, the yen is likely to eventually strengthen.
March 2024
- Opinion
- Energy security
Why Australia needs a new energy partnership with Japan
A spat over gas supplies and the huge potential for future fuels means it’s time for a binational body to talk over energy issues.
October 2023
- Opinion
- China relations
Albanese must put mutual challenges on the table in Beijing
Australia and China cannot maintain their standards of living without doing business with each other. But that relationship will be tested by climate change.
May 2023
- Opinion
- Globalisation
South-East Asia needs to write a new rule book for the US and China
A region that depends on Chinese capital and Western markets has to take the lead in managing the superpower stand-off.
April 2023
- Opinion
- Globalisation
Japan seeks to ease US-China tensions as G7 chief
At the G7 summit next month, Japan must strike a balance between pushing back against China’s coercion and stabilising the rules-based order.
- Updated
- Opinion
- Australian economy
The rule book is the winner in the China trade war
China’s economic weaponisation was blunted by a system with the WTO at its core. The task now is to embed Beijing further into multilateralism.
December 2022
- Opinion
- Trade wars
East Asia must lead the way on regional economic integration
The US alliance framework remains the bedrock of Australian, Japanese and regional security and stability. But it is through economic engagement that the region needs to entrench US interests in rule-making in Asia.
October 2022
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
The four fallacies that mean sovereign capability won’t work
Making semiconductors locally sounds reassuring at a time of global supply chain challenges. But in the modern world of complex and interdependent manufacturing it’s an empty promise.
August 2022
- Opinion
- Inside China
The economic ties that bind us to China
Efforts to reduce trade reliance on Beijing are failing, with interdependence actually increasing for the US, its allies and the global community.
July 2022
- Opinion
- G20 summit
Chance for G20 to build on WTO progress
As this year’s G20 host, Indonesia has its work cut out managing the geopolitics of Russia’s membership. But it now also has the opportunity to build on the Geneva Package agreed by the WTO.
June 2022
- Opinion
- Australia's China challenge
Australia must find common purpose with China
Both nations depend heavily on a multilateral trading system. Strengthening it together is a way of managing their troubled bilateral relationship.
March 2022
- Opinion
- Russia-Ukraine war
Sanctions on Russia show benefits of globalisation
Economic restrictions work when they are co-ordinated and target clear, unpardonable violations of international law.
January 2022
- Opinion
- Australia's China challenge
Turn defence ties with Japan into bigger regional partnership
Canberra and Tokyo now need to work together to enhance collective security and economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
November 2021
- Opinion
- China relations
Embrace Japan as most favoured partner to meet the China challenge
In a decarbonising world, the fossil fuel-based energy trade will no longer be enough to sustain the security relationship between Tokyo and Canberra.
September 2021
- Opinion
- Trade
Blocking China’s bid to join Pacific trade pact is the wrong strategy
Canberra should make resolving Beijing’s economic coercion part of the process of signing up to the rules-based Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
June 2021
- Opinion
- Trade
Fresh signs of life for global co-operation
As we move to a multipolar world, groupings like APEC can help build consensus. Ultimately, however, the G20 has the best chance at new rules for a post-COVID-19 global order.