This Month
The US trade war hypocrisy Morrison was too polite to mention
If the former PM detected any contradiction in US politicians asking for help in Congress on standing up to economic coercion, he did not acknowledge it.
‘Stronger together’: Congress backs AUKUS ahead of Morrison hearing
Two US congressmen say the tripartite nuclear-powered submarine pact is key to checking Chinese expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region.
China ordered this Aussie flower farm to grow rice. Then they found a solution
In a country of 1.4 billion people, keeping everyone fed can be the difference between stability and chaos. The Lynch Group nearly had to tear down its greenhouses.
We’re letting Xi Jinping weaponise our economy all over again
Australia’s pursuit of growing trade dependence on China is making us increasingly vulnerable to Beijing and its coercion toolkit.
Rumours of Xi’s downfall distract from China’s real challenges
The notion that Xi Jinping is about to be toppled is a distraction from the real cleavages in Chinese politics.
The fading power of Xi Jinping
In a system built on secrecy, no one knows the reality behind the scenes, but there are signs China’s leader could be in political trouble.
Why we may be on the cusp of a more stable global order
There is speculation afoot China’s hardline President Xi Jinping may be replaced by a more pragmatic and Western-friendly successor.
June
To understand Xi Jinping, look at his father’s life
Xi Zhongxun was purged by the Communist Party he served and went on to help reform Chinese politics. His son is the most authoritarian leader since Mao.
Trump’s ‘deal’ with China is just a waypoint to the next fight
Donald Trump behaves as though he has an unfettered ability to dictate terms to foreign countries, but that doesn’t work when you are so reliant on a single supplier.
China’s brutal EV price war is raising quality fears
An extreme discount war on electric vehicles has Beijing worried about a race to the bottom and damage to its international “Made in China” brand.
Trump tests the world’s nervous system – again
The president’s fury at being mockingly labelled TACO on tariffs may be enough to ensure that he proceeds on schedule.
May
US to ‘aggressively’ revoke visas of Chinese students
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is targeting Chinese students in the administration’s latest move to crack down on foreigners hoping to study in America.
Chinese envoy slams ‘ethically questionable’ takeover of Darwin Port
Beijing’s ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian says Chinese port owner Landbridge shouldn’t be punished by having its lease ended on security grounds.
China’s battery giant eyes global domination in Trump era
CATL pulled off the world’s biggest stock listing so far this year. But the global maker of EV batteries has become caught in US-China tensions.
How Xi Jinping sparked China’s electricity revolution
Beijing’s aggressive pursuit of energy self-sufficiency could give it the upper hand in the trade war with the US.
April
No, Ambassador Xiao, China is not a champion of free trade
It is not Trump’s tariffs but Chinese economic policies and practices over many decades that are the greater challenge to economic globalisation as we know it.
China thinks it will win this trade game of chicken. Here’s why
Market turmoil and cracks in support for Donald Trump’s tariffs have further cemented the view that Beijing need only wait a little longer for backlash to build.
‘We’re not for sale’: Darwin Port rebuffs PM, Dutton takeover pledge
Both Labor and the Coalition are on a unity ticket that Darwin port’s Chinese owner should have its 99-year lease axed.
March
‘Parasitic illegal immigrant’: The Musk v Bannon feud fires up
Donald Trump has made clear he wants to keep both men and their allies within his MAGA movement, but the tensions are growing.
The Trump and Xi shows could not be more stark
For many observers, the contrast between China’s orderly political gathering at the Great Hall of the People this week and the White House chaos was stark.