Economy

A container terminal in Sydney. The Australian government is scrapping tariffs that generate minimal revenue while doing little to protect local manufacturers. 
Trade

Australia cuts 500 'nuisance' tariffs, from fridges to fishing reels

Move is part of a broader plan to streamline trade and investment

11 March 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at a news conference with his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, in Melbourne on March 5. 
Trade

Australia unveils $1.3bn fund for investment with ASEAN

Albanese pledges to support companies taking larger role in fast-developing region

5 March 2024
The opening ceremony of National People's Congress in Mach 2023 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Photo by Yusuke Hinata)
Your Week in Asia

China 'Two Sessions', ASEAN-Australia Summit, Malaysia rate decision

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

3 March 2024
A man walks past the Reserve Bank of Australia in Sydney: The country's central bank held its policy interest rate steady, at 4.35%, at its latest meeting, which ended Feb. 6.
Economy

Australian central bank stands pat amid 'uncertain' outlook

Reserve Bank of Australia says inflation easing, but economy faces headwinds

6 February 2024
A DP World facility in Sydney. Australia's largest stevedore and the Maritime Union of Australia have settled a labor dispute.
Trade

Australian port dispute is resolved by union-company agreement

Tentative deal ends partial strikes that led to shipping delays and hurt economy

2 February 2024
From the Philippine peso to the Australian dollar, a wide range of Asia-Pacific currencies faces weakness against the U.S. dollar. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Philippine peso, Malaysian ringgit sink on China's economic woes

Trade ties to No. 2 economy spur rate cut speculation in Australia and Thailand

25 January 2024
Mine in Western Australia
Commodities

Australian government to meet battery metal producers as prices slump

Projects halting or slowing in face of plunging nickel, lithium markets

23 January 2024
A dispute between dockworkers in Australia and DP World, the country's largest port operator, is causing problems for the economy.
Supply Chain

Australian port dispute brings increasing pain to economy

Union tries to avoid arbitrator intervention, minister rules out stepping in

18 January 2024
Xiao Qian, China's ambassador to Australia, speaks at a news briefing on Jan. 17.
International relations

China eyes defense ties reboot with Australia despite Taiwan tensions

Beijing envoy Xiao suggests Japan injured Australian divers in naval incident

17 January 2024
Douglas Hsu, Taiwan's chief representative in Australia, speaks online to Nikkei Asia on Jan. 12. 
Defense

Taiwan 'open' to deeper AUKUS ties amid election meddling fears

Representative to Australia highlights growing China interference in cyberspace

12 January 2024
A Lynas worker walks past sacks of rare earth concentrate waiting to be shipped to Malaysia, at Mount Weld, northeast of Perth, in 2019. Australia is funding rare earth and critical mineral research.
Commodities

Australia funds rare earth research as West seeks China alternatives

Canberra to spend $14m to boost rare earth and critical minerals sectors

8 January 2024
Bananas and melons from Queensland are sold on a trial basis at a store in Yokohama in November. (Photo by Nikkei)
Food & Beverage

Australia wants Japanese shoppers to go bananas for its fruits

'Eco' bananas and 'winter season' mangoes promoted for promising market

8 December 2023
A pedestrian walks past a real estate agency in Sydney's central business district on Nov. 15.
Politics

Australia's Albanese faces immigration heat as house prices soar

First-time buyers getting squeezed out of property market

6 December 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 6.
Comment

Australia's Albanese tackles China paradox with shrewd diplomacy

Premier carefully juggles trade and security to achieve long-term deterrence

27 November 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, speaks to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in California on Nov. 17.
Opinion

Australia's Albanese paid a high price for his trip to China

Canberra no longer seems willing to stand up for rules-based international order

22 November 2023
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 6.
International relations

China and Australia agree to improve trade ties at summit

Xi and Albanese discuss CPTPP pact, Taiwan and more as tensions ease

7 November 2023
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit New Delhi this week for the annual 2+2 ministerial dialogue with their counterparts S. Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh.
Your Week in Asia

U.S.-India 2+2, Pacific Islands Forum, China Singles Day 'war'

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

5 November 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to China from Nov. 4 to 7 to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Your Week in Asia

BOJ policy meeting, Hong Kong FinTech Week, Australia PM visits China

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

29 October 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next month, as the two countries cast aside some noisy prior disagreements over trade and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Big Story

China-Australia thaw reveals limits of Beijing's economic coercion

Ahead of Albanese's first China visit, relaxation of punitive trade measures proves Xi will not sacrifice economy for politics

25 October 2023
Australian tourism development has been held back by a lack of investment outside existing major centers, high costs, increasing airfares and overreliance on the China market.
Opinion

Australia's challenges are no mystery but take courage to tackle

Country's economic imbalances only set to get worse

23 October 2023
Argyle pink diamonds are especially prized for their deep hue. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Business trends

Australian pink diamonds catch eye of affluent amid inflation

Rio Tinto's Argyle mine closure adds extra novelty to rare gems

22 October 2023
BHP Group, the world's largest miner based on market capitalization, is carefully watching China's efforts to stabilize a key sector of its economy.
Commodities

BHP chief counts on China taming property crisis to lift economy

CEO of mining giant sees chance of Chinese 'momentum' gaining pace

20 October 2023
A lithium-processing plant near Bunbury, Australia. The country looks to attract investment in mineral-processing facilities to supply the electric-vehicle industry.
Supply Chain

Australia looks to EV boom to transform economy

Lithium-rich nation seeks to become key link in battery supply chain

27 August 2023
A clothing store in Sydney: Consumers demand instantaneous access to goods and services at low prices, which requires substantial capital and global reach.
Opinion

'Greedflation' is an unhelpful concept

Elevated profits stem in part from overwhelmed supply chains

11 August 2023
Michele Bullock has worked at the Reserve Bank of Australia since 1985 after joining as an intern. (AAP/via Reuters)
Economy

Australia picks Michele Bullock as its first female central bank head

RBA veteran expected to ensure continuity as nation battles soaring costs

14 July 2023