By Yu Lei
AFTER the hype surrounding a rumoured “coal import ban”, Australian media outlets are now stirring up market concerns over another commodity – cotton. As a result of such speculation, some Western media outlets have even began pedaling a “shadow trade war” theory.
Such groundless speculation by Western media outlets is a clear reflection of the Morrison Government’s hostility toward China and its attempt to push China to import more Australia cotton. Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham on Friday groundlessly accused China of using “discriminatory actions” against Australian cotton producers. However, as one of the world’s major cotton importers, China has simply continued to select the best prices available in the international market and does not discriminate against Australia cotton.
In fact, exports of American and Australian agricultural products such as wheat, beef and cotton face fierce competition in the global market. Australian farmers have long been dissatisfied with the US’ government subsidies, decrying unfair competition and demanding that their government negotiate with the US, but the Australian government has never dared ask the US, and the US in turn ignored the protests of the Australian people.
Although China has a vast market, Australia is not its main supplier. Without the Chinese market, farmers and employees in Australia will be affected, but this is the result of market competition. When China-Australia relations return to normal, China will consider more of Australia’s interests, but at present it is about market allocation.
The recent hype of the “shadow trade war” in Western media outlets has occurred in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on global economy. Against the backdrop of the US and Australia’s decoupling and semi-decoupling tactics, China’s economy has endured the virus and become the only major economy in the world to achieve growth.
From China’s perspective, the so-called shadow trade war does not exist. China is only making industry adjustments according to market rules. In the absence any goodwill on Australia’s part to improve bilateral relations, China should maintain its strategic determination and not rush to improve the trade status quo. China should use this opportunity to remove any risks in China-Australia relations, and made preparations for any potential improvements in bilateral relationships that may occur in the middle or the second half of next year. In sharp contrast with China’s economic situation, Australia’s economy is facing great difficulties. In the recently released IMF world economic outlook, the fund said it expects the Australian economy to contract by 4.2 percent this year.
– The Daily Mail-Global
Times news exchange item
