Australia 's Bilateral Trade Agreements With The Trans Pacific Partnership

Rudd identified three pillars that his government would focus on in regards to Australian Foreign Policy: Alliance with United States, Membership of the United Nations and a stronger focus on Asia and the Pacific. Follow previous Labor governments, an interest was taken within Asia and Rudd was the first non-asian diplomatic, at the time of elections, who was able to speak with Asian leaders in their native language. Foreign policy in Australia has always been a changing landscape and the country’s relationships differ from government to government. From 1901-2010 Australia’s key relationship were Britain, USA, Asia (China, Japan, Indonesia and ASEAN) and the Pacific. Since 2010 new relationships have been key to Australia which include USA, China, Japan, ASEAN + NATO nations and Asia

Another prospect is Australia’s mineral resources. Australia is predicted to be holding much of iron ore, coal etc. This means that we are on top of vast resources that can be sold to other countries. Japan would benefit as it purchases a large amount of our coal and iron ore. This advantage could also be used to lever a FTA with the Japanese. The infinite capabilities of Japanese technology would allow Australia to keep up with the world in many areas. Of course, most of these are technologically related.

In 1901, Australia’s Federation was concerned about the number of Chinese who made their way to Australia during the gold rushes, and ‘white’ Australia’s fear of being swamped by Asia. After the second World War, this perspective was a key element of Australia’s foreign policy. This fear of Asia was amplified once communism had grown to Asia and especially after 1949 when China had become a communist nation.

After World War II in the 20th century, the United States and the Soviet Union were the new “Superpowers”. These two major nations had two conflicting political ideologies which were stated as Capitalism and Communism, and this had Australia right in the middle of the story. Since Australia has very strong ties with the US, making it even stronger after involving in the Vietnam War and also grew strong with the ‘SEATO’ and ‘ANZUS’ with the fear of the so called ‘domino theory’ and the foreign policies which including the Forward Defence Policy. This, however, allowed Australia to gain a closer chance to go to war in Vietnam.

China is one of the biggest countries along with Thailand and Japan who make goods for Australia. Being Australia’s third largest merchandise trading partner and seventh largest service export market in 2003, China might significantly affect the Australian economy through any changes made to its trade policies. A more liberal Chinese trade policy could increase Australia’s income in part through greater market access for its exports. Of every hundred dollars of national

This essay analyses the Australian-China bilateral relationship since 1945 and in particular its political significance to Australia. Many global factors have influenced this relationship, including the advent of the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the collapse of the Soviet bloc European nations. In addition, internal political changes in Australia and China have both affected and been affected by the global changes. It will be analysed that Australia’s bilateral relationship with China has always had a sharp political edge but that approaching the new millenium economics and trade considerations are shaping Australias and for that matter Chinese politics.

Australia responded to the threat of communism in Asia through the Korean War in particular the agreements between Australia and the other countries trying to fight against communism. The Australia, New Zealand and United States Treaty also known as the ANZUS treaty and the South East Asia treaty Organisation Alliance (SEATO Alliance) were the two main alliance agreements establishing Australia’s defence. Through joining these alliances, Australia was able to fight off communism brought upon by China, Cuba, Laos and North Korea, now in Australia we can speak freely and have equal rights and opportunities. Australia now also has a bond with New Zealand, United States and South East Asia has a better defence line with each

Australia and Japan’s relationship has strengthened greatly over the last few decades. Japan has emerged from an enemy at the end of world war two to one of Australia’s most important allies today. The relationship between the two focuses on a number of areas, in particular trade, as Japan’s economy is very prosperous to Australia. Maintaining such a relationship has not always been straightforward, often presenting difficulties where the countries stray in values and opinions. Diplomats from both countries have worked hard to keep this positive relationship working. Diplomacy has allowed for Japan and Australia to receive benefits from one another while preventing major problems from arising. If troubles have developed, they have been dealt with swiftly in fear they could cause damage to the Australia-Japan relationship. Some areas the diplomatic relationship covers are the economical, cultural, security and environmental relations. Australian diplomacy has contributed to strengthening the international relationship with Japan.

The U.S. and Australian alliance share an interest in maintaining the peace and stability in the Asian- Pacific

Bipartisan support for the deepening security relationship is an important factor in its growth. Despite several changes of ruling party or prime minister in each country between 2007 and 2014, the two Governments have maintained a strong commitment to the high-level security relationship.13 The relationship in 2015 is extremely strong, demonstrated by a recent defence technology treaty and discussion of potential Australian acquisition of a Japanese submarine, with strong personal ties between national

Providing aid to developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region allows the countries to develop politically and economically, helping the region prosper, and therefore improve Australia’s personal security. The aid provided by Australia helps developing countries to stabilise their situation

Australian-Indonesian relations are the foreign relations between the two countries, whether economically, politically, legally or socially. Australian-Indonesian relations involve an interaction in foreign policies between the two nations (Wolfsohn, 1951, p. 68). As long as Indonesia is Australia 's closest and largest neighbor, they are bound to have great international relations. These relations began as early as the 17th century and had only become enhanced with time (Daly, 2003, p. 397). The relationship has been defined by a conjoint growth trade of up to $14 between the years 2011-2012 which reports an increase from the previous economic year (Mark, 2012, p.402). These countries are members of various trade deals such as the ASEAN Regional Forum in addition to having close ties with education, defense, and leadership. Australia 's relationship with Indonesia is crucial, and lack of such could severely bruise the economy, and hence they need to keep united by ensuring the use of widespread media with beneficial input. Australia interacts with Indonesia in a way such as sporting activity, tourism, education, economic policies, youth exchange programs, cultures and above all their diplomacy (Okamoto, 2010, p.241).

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the pre-eminent economic rally in Australia’s region. APEC’s goal is to drive an extensive trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation agenda. It is focused on structural reform as a means of raising competitiveness and the efficiency of trade and investment flows. It has helped Australia with building and strengthening ties with other countries such as Brunei, Singapore, Philippines and other countries in the region. In 2009, 70% of Australia’s trade is with APEC countries.

The development in the progress of China, India and Indonesia benefits Australia and contributes significantly to regional stability which extends opportunities for a successful and reciprocating business partnership instead of being aid dependent. Australia’s economical national interest is directly linked to the success, stability and peaceful interactions of its neighbours because these countries are also the first line of defence against many negative issues which could affect Australia (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2016c). If these states remain to be wealthy and stable, they will respond better to efficiently to threats and complications in trade. In order to benefit from the trading relationships with the neighbouring countries, Australia needs to take advantage of the international economic opportunities and ensure we are focused on advancing in global economic, financial, investment and trade institutions. A globally integrated economy is crucial due to the growth which can be gained from an open trading system and foreign direct investment which secures our position in the economically advancing countries of the world and our own financial welfare (Wong 2017).

Australia’s main trading partners are China, Japan, the United States, Republic of Korea and Singapore. Nearly half of Australia’s trade activity in terms of imports and exports are with these 5 countries alone. Particularly with the recent growth of the Chinese economy, Australia’s chief trading partner, the country has seen growth in its exports. However very recently the growth of the Chinese economy has been slowing which is a risk to Australian exports.