Resources Minister Madeleine King says the government is “clear-eyed” about Australia’s relationship with China, following a warning from the US president.
President Joe Biden said his administration would take on China and present the US as a more reliable partner in the region, but he made it clear that this “extreme competition” did not mean he wanted conflict.
King was asked about what she made of the comments.
“ I think the point is that, you know, we need to have our eyes open with all our international relationships, and that’s an important thing to always consider,” King said on RN Breakfast this morning.
She said the government has been clear about its position with China, Australia’s biggest trading partner.
The iron ore industry in WA is the backbone of the country’s economy, and King said the government “knows how important those exports are to us”.
“But you know, even in the difficult trade relationship we’ve had over the last few years ... the trading resources … [have] underpinned that relationship with China.”
She said that aspect was an “important ballast” in the relationship.
“We will agree where we can, and disagree where we must, and we’re very clear-eyed about this, and we intend to remain so.”