Economy

Malaysia has banned import of plastic scrap but the ruling has been poorly enforced and monitored.
Opinion

How to end Asia's plastic waste war

Trade bans in Southeast Asia risk shifting problem to South Asia and Africa

17 July 2019
BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie discusses Chinese demand on June 19. (Photo by Manami Yamada)
Commodities

BHP chief gives Chinese economy thumbs up

Infrastructure drive lifts demand for iron ore and coal amid trade war

22 June 2019
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has urged the US and China to resolve their trade dispute.
Trade war

Australia urges US and China to resolve trade war

Treasurer Josh Frydneberg says trade differences weighing on global economy

7 June 2019
"For Sale" signs dot properties around the Sydney area as housing prices slumped in 2018. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Economy

Australia goes on the defensive with record-low interest rate

Lower home prices and consumption, along with China risk, threaten growth streak

5 June 2019
Pichet Durongkaveroj, Thailand's minister of digital economy and society, speaks at the Future of Asia conference on May 31. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
The Future of Asia 2019

Thailand casts wide net for 5G partners amid Huawei concerns

Ericsson and Nokia are among the potential beneficiaries

31 May 2019
U.S. players will likely seek out alternatives to Chinese rare earths should Beijing impose an export ban.
Commodities

Minor-metal stocks gain on fears of Beijing rare-earth ban

Japan and Australian miners seen as option if trade war cuts Chinese supply

23 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison waves to supporters in Sydney on May 19. The conservative Liberal-National coalition is projected to secure an outright majority in the lower house of parliament.
Politics

Australia's conservatives set to win a majority in lower house

Benchmark stock index surges to 11-year high on news of coalition victory

20 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to supporters after his opponent, Labor Party leader Bill Shorten, conceded defeat in the federal election in Sydney on Sunday.
Politics

Australia's conservatives owe 'miracle' win to economic promises

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's shrewd marketing proves successful

19 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, gestures after casting his ballot in a federal election in Sydney.
Politics

Australia's government pulls off shock win in federal election

Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks to remain in office

19 May 2019
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, faces off against Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Politics

Early returns point to Labor win in Australian federal election

Slower economy brings Liberal-National coalition to brink of defeat

18 May 2019
Some economists say they are worried that the Labor Party's tax policies could hurt Australia's housing market.
Politics

Australia elections pit landlords against renters

Labor pledge to end tax breaks for the wealthy met with fears of economic pain

17 May 2019
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, right, and Labor leader Bill Shorten take part in "The Leaders' Debate'' in Canberra on May 8.
Politics

Five things to know about the Australian election

Polls point to the first change of government since 2013

13 May 2019
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, faces off against Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Politics

Labor leads over ruling coalition as Australian election nears

Country may see its first change of government in six years in May 18 poll

12 May 2019
One half of the time Australian prosperity is based on digging things out of the ground and selling them to foreigners at good prices. 
Opinion

Australia's irrelevant election

Short sighted policies have left economy at the mercy of external events

30 April 2019
Labor Party lead by Bill Shorten, left, seems to be offering the young a bit more than the Coalition of Scott Morrison, right.
Opinion

Australia's struggling youth may decide election

Intergenerational conflict marks polls, with young people angry at poor prospects

22 April 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday.
Politics

Australia's Morrison calls for May 18 election

Ruling party trails in polls ahead of first parliamentary contest since 2016

11 April 2019
Tax concessions have not alleviated Australia's housing shortage.
Opinion

Heady election tax pledges can bring on long hangovers

Australian fiscal policymaking highlights danger of politicizing economic decisions

3 April 2019
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government announced active investments in roads, railroads and other infrastructure to improve traffic in urban areas.
Economy

Australian government vows tax relief ahead of general election

Coalition offers help with electricity bills to low- and middle-income earners

2 April 2019
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on April 1. The countries have been at odds over the security risk posed by Chinese communications products.
International relations

Xi meets with New Zealand prime minister to court US ally

Beijing aims to drive wedge into Five Eye intelligence pact

2 April 2019
China's shift toward Brazilian soybeans may not be easily undone, even if tariffs on imports of the crop from the U.S. are lowered.
Trade war

Trade war carves new paths for LNG and soybeans

One year on, US exporters see China opportunities lost to Brazil and Australia

1 April 2019
Population growth in cities like Sydney has put a strain on public infrastructure.
Politics

Australia cuts immigrant intake by 15% ahead of election

Government moves to ease congestion in country's biggest cities

20 March 2019
Shearing sheep in New South Wales
Economy

Wool prices on high ground as Australian pastures dry up

Easing trade tension leads to stronger demand in China

14 March 2019
More than 80% of Australian iron ore exports head to China.
Economy

Australian growth sputters on China slowdown

Last quarter's 0.2% expansion fell short of forecast as exports declined

7 March 2019
Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, left, and Indonesian counterpart Enggartiasto Lukita shake hands after signing the economic partnership agreement in Jakarta on March 4.
Economy

Indonesia and Australia finally sign free trade deal

Canberra's plan to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem delayed agreement for months

4 March 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Communist Party delegates attend the 19th National Congress in October 2017.
International relations

Chinese developer swept up in Australia's red scare

Canberra's counterinfluence campaign against Beijing risks alienating key trading partner

4 March 2019