President Biden Warns Australia About Ties with Chinese Communist Party
In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed concerns about the growing tensions across the globe and cautioned Australia on normalizing relations with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
When asked if Australia could trust the Chinese regime, Mr. Biden replied, “Trust but verify is the phrase.”
Furthermore, Mr. Biden emphasized his commitment to the AUKUS agreement, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United States, and the UK. He clarified that the initiative aims to liberalize the Indo-Pacific Region and maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indian Ocean, rather than provoke Beijing.
Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to the United States marks the ninth in-person meeting between himself and President Biden since Australia’s last federal election in May 2022. During his visit, Mr. Albanese hopes to discuss the Beijing issue and advocate for the further development of AUKUS.
Trade Woes
Economic tensions between China and other countries persist. Recently, Beijing imposed export restrictions on graphite, a critical mineral for electric vehicle production, in response to the Biden Administration’s decision to curb sales of AI chips to China. China is the world’s largest graphite producer, responsible for 90 percent of international supply.
China’s trade practices have faced scrutiny in the past, with accusations of flouting WTO rules. Additionally, Beijing waged a trade war against Australian exporters in 2020, imposing sanctions on various agricultural products and restricting the import of Australian coal.
China currently grapples with internal issues, including a stagnant economy and a major property crisis. The country is experiencing what economists refer to as the “middle-income trap,” where higher wage growth leads to a loss of export and manufacturing competitiveness without reaching the level of developed countries in providing services or complex value-added goods.
Protesters hold up a white piece of paper against censorship as they march during a protest against China’s strict zero-COVID measures in Beijing, China, on Nov. 27, 2022. (Getty Images/Kevin Frayer)
How does the trilateral security partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia aim to address shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region?
Urity partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, which aims to address shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. He outlined the importance of this alliance in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
The warning from President Biden comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and Australia. China has imposed a series of economic sanctions on Australian exports, including coal, barley, wine, and beef, in response to Australia’s calls for an independent investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia’s economic dependence on China has been a cause for concern, with critics arguing that it gives China undue influence over Australian policies and actions. President Biden echoed these concerns, stating that countries should be wary of economic reliance on any country that does not share their values or respect their sovereignty.
President Biden also called for unity among like-minded nations to counter China’s growing assertiveness. He highlighted the need for democracies to work together to protect their interests and uphold universal values such as freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.
However, it is important to note that President Biden also expressed his desire to cooperate with China on issues such as climate change and non-proliferation. He acknowledged that the United States has a complex relationship with China and that cooperation and competition can coexist.
The warning from President Biden serves as a reminder to Australia and other countries about the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party. The CCP’s actions in recent years, including its crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, human rights abuses against the Uighur population, and military aggression in the South China Sea, have raised concerns among the international community.
As President Biden emphasized, it is crucial for countries to maintain their sovereignty and not allow economic considerations to compromise their values and independence. Building alliances and standing united against such challenges is essential, as no single country can tackle them alone.
Australia must carefully navigate its relationship with China, ensuring a balance between economic cooperation and safeguarding its national interests. It is imperative for Australia to diversify its trade partners and reduce economic dependence on any single country. By doing so, Australia can mitigate the risks associated with overreliance and maintain its strategic autonomy.
In the face of an increasingly assertive China, President Biden’s warning acts as a call to action for Australia and other nations. It serves as a reminder that maintaining strong ties with like-minded democracies is crucial in the pursuit of a free, open, and rules-based international order.
As Australia navigates this challenging geopolitical landscape, it must heed President Biden’s warning and carefully consider the implications of its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. By remaining vigilant and working together with its allies, Australia can protect its national interests and contribute to a more stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
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