Documents obtained under freedom of information show how worried Australian officials were over economic impact of Beijing’s actions
The latest figures suggest Australia exported no thermal coal to China in 2021, compared with 35m tonnes in 2020 and 50m tonnes in 2019. The shortfall was offset by increases in shipments to India, Japan and South Korea.
“Despite trade restrictions from Australian barley export volumes were up 176% through the year in March quarter 2021 … due to higher production resulting from favourable seasonal conditions in 2020.” A briefing to prepare Frydenberg for an interview in May 2021 suggested he emphasise Australia’s “mutually beneficial trading relationship with China” if asked whether the government was concerned about the actions.
The question time brief also stated the Australian government “will always protect our national interests, first and foremost”.
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