The previous Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, is set to provide testimony at a US House panel hearing the following week concerning China’s economic coercion against democracies, as announced by the committee on Friday.
Rahm Emanuel, who served as the former US ambassador to Japan, will also be testifying before the House select committee on China.
The relationship between Australia and China has been strained, particularly after Australia’s decision to ban Huawei from its 5G broadband network back in 2018. In 2020, tensions escalated further when the Morrison government called for an independent investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 virus.
In response, China imposed tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley, and restricted imports of Australian beef, coal, and grapes. These actions have been described by the United States as “economic coercion.”
Morrison was defeated in his bid for re-election in 2022. His successor, Anthony Albanese, recently visited China, signaling a warming of ties. During his visit, which included stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, Albanese criticized the opposition for failing to have a single phone call with this major trading partner for several years.
Reuters has reported that Canberra is nearing an agreement with Beijing, allowing Australian suppliers to ship five trial canola cargoes to China. This move is seen as a potential step towards resolving a prolonged trade freeze. In the past year, China imposed 100% tariffs on Canadian canola meal and oil due to strained diplomatic relations.
Emanuel has been a strong critic of China, arguing that Beijing frequently uses coercion and pressures other countries, including Japan and the Philippines. He has also expressed interest in running for president in 2028.
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Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/19/scott-morrison-to-testify-before-us-house-panel-on-china
