As part of a broader strategy related to developing critical mineral resources, the Australian government has forced several Chinese investors out of a rare earth mining project, and at the same time is pushing ahead with similar projects financed by Western-allied governments.

Earlier this year, Australia initiated a safeguards investigation on fabricated structural steel ("FSS"), with Chinese products as one of the main sources of imports.

In the midst of controversy over Chinese control of the Port of Darwin, an investment arbitration lawsuit has been filed, although the details of the claim have not been publicly disclosed yet.

Following the lead of the EU and the U.S., Australia is considering a change to its countervailing duty laws that would allow it to target so-called "transnational" or "cross-border" subsidies, which are subsidies provided by one government to a company in another territory.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing yesterday, with trade relations in general and the China-Australia FTA (ChAFTA) in particular as two of the key topics of discussion.

Controversial from the start, a Chinese company's lease of the Port of Darwin became an issue during Australia's national elections in early May, and could be subject to a forced divestment.

At today's press conference, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yadong addressed several issues affecting international trade relations: Drone exports to the U.S. and Europe, Australian lobster imports, and U.S. efforts to remove Chinese telecom equipment.