Anthony Albanese talks up Australia’s role in potential US-China trade war

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia “can play a role” in any potential trade war that erupts between the United States and China when Donald Trump takes office.

President-elect Mr Trump has vowed to implement sweeping tariffs, with China set to be the hardest hit.

Mr Albanese said he discussed trade with Mr Trump last week during their call following his election win.

The PM said he told Mr Trump it was in in the US’ interest to trade with Australia because of the trade surplus, and how fast Australia as a region was growing.

“So, it’s in the United States’ interest to trade fairly with Australia, but it’s also obviously in Australia’s interest,” he told ABC Radio.

The PM, who jets off to the APEC summit in Peru on Wednesday before he continues to G20 in Brazil, is aiming to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines.

Speaking ahead of his trip, Mr Albanese said Australia was in an important position to balance out the competition between two important partners.

“We are a trading nation, and we support free and fair trade between countries, and we support a global system as well that is able to operate in everyone’s interests,” Mr Albanese said.

“Everyone benefits if you have a fair trading system, and we’ll continue to advocate that, because that’s in Australia’s national interest.

“Now the strategic competition that exists between the United States and China is something that we’re dealing with as well.

“We think that we can play a role as a middle power. Australia is trusted, our word matters.

“We have an alliance with the United States, but China is our major trading partner.”

The APEC summit in Peru will focus on a more sustainable global trading economy, while the G20 in Brazil will prioritise the clean energy transition.

Asked if any progress could be made, given the pending return of Mr Trump to the White House, Mr Albanese said he “certainly” hopes it can.

“And I’m sure that all of the leaders of the Asia Pacific at APEC and then the 20 largest economies in the world at the G20 will be focused on achieving some positive outcomes for Australia. It’s really important,” he said.

Mr Albanese will use a series of bilateral meetings on the summit’s sidelines to enhance Australia’s other important trading relationships.

He will meet with new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto when he arrives in Lima — the first official meeting since Mr Subianto was sworn in and comes just days after his meeting in Washington with outgoing US President Joe Biden.