Australia emphasizes its ability to balance relations between China and the United States; the US and Australia sign a key mineral cooperation agreement.

Australian Treasurer: Australia is capable of balancing the US-China relationship

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on October 21, during a meeting of APEC finance ministers in Incheon, South Korea, that Australia is capable of strengthening cooperation with the United States while maintaining stable relations with China. The core policy of the Labor government is to maintain a strategic balance between two superpowers with tense relations.

During the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting, Chalmers told Bloomberg Television that Australia is capable of stabilizing its relations with China while cooperating with the Trump administration. He reiterated that the Labor government's policy is to maintain a balance between the United States and China.

Chalmers also said that Australia recently signed a landmark agreement with the United States to enhance the U.S. ability to obtain critical minerals such as rare earths, thereby countering China's dominant position in the rare earth supply chain.

On October 20, U.S. President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Albanese signed a key mineral agreement. According to a White House statement and a copy of the agreement released by Albanese's office, both countries pledged to invest $1 billion each within six months for joint mining and processing projects, and to set a minimum price guarantee mechanism for critical minerals.

In response to this U.S.-Australia cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiankun said at a regular press conference on October 21 that the formation of global supply chains is the result of market and corporate choices. Countries with critical mineral resources should play an active role in ensuring the safety and stability of industrial and supply chains, and ensure normal trade and economic cooperation.

Notably, recent diplomatic interactions by Australia between the United States and China have shown a bidirectional strengthening trend. A week before the U.S.-Australia mineral agreement was announced, Australian Trade Minister Farrell had held a video conference with the Chinese Minister of Commerce, and both sides agreed to continue resolving trade disputes through dialogue. At the same time, the Albanese government is actively pushing forward the Prime Minister's plan to visit China this year.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846657419671627/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.