Albanese Brushes off China Daily’s Praise for Standing Against Trump on Tariffs
The prime minister reiterated that his sole motivation for opposing the president-elect’s tariff plans is Australia’s national interest.
Beijing has swiftly acknowledged Australia’s stance against U.S. President-elect Trump’s proposed tariffs, commending Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for demonstrating “strategic autonomy” in an editorial in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mouthpiece, China Daily.
Despite this, Albanese downplayed the recognition, stating to reporters, “I don’t align with the China Daily” and emphasizing that his primary goal is to better Australia’s trade terms.
The prime minister’s adept handling of the delicate balance between its partnership with Washington and economic ties with China has been applauded in the publication, alongside his management of the global political shift following Trump’s upcoming return to the presidency.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, known for his firm stance against Beijing, had previously been criticized by the CCP mouthpiece as a “yes man” for the United States.
When confronted with the article at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, Albanese stressed that all policy changes were made with Australia’s interests in mind, not Beijing’s.
“The improvement in trade between Australia and China benefits Australian jobs,” he noted. “We are a trading nation, and China is our primary trading partner.
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“And I am pleased that there’s an increase in our exports to China. We’ve done that without compromising any of Australia’s values by being clear about what our views are, and we’ve continued to do that, and I look forward to continuing to pursue Australia’s national interests because that’s my job.”
When queried about whether Australia’s participation in Western alliances like Five Eyes and AUKUS, which the CCP views as antagonistic to its rule, meant it was engaged in “strategic competition” with Beijing, Albanese stated that it was in Australia’s national interest to “support and continue to engage with our allies in the United States.”
“Our relationship with the United States differs greatly from our ties with China, which has a distinct political structure and values,” he clarified.
U.S. President Joe Biden (L) speaks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in San Francisco, Calif., on Nov. 16, 2023. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
“We will highlight this when appropriate, but we will also seek collaboration where possible… and it is in Australia’s best interest to support and engage with the United States,” he added.
While taking a break at APEC, the prime minister and incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden exchanged handshakes and could be seen sharing a laugh during a brief conversation. Albanese refrained from disclosing the content of the chat, mentioning only that it was “cordial.”
“[Biden] was in good spirits. He was happy to attend APEC and is committed to working in the interests of the United States, also planning to participate in the G20 meeting,” Albanese concluded.
