Trade
Putting food at the heart of China-Indonesia relations
As regional leaders gathered for the ASEAN summit in Cambodia last week, a sideline meeting also took place with China. For all the talk about regional rivalries amid growing…
Countdown to Asia’s summit season
After two years of Covid-19 hiatus, Asia’s “summit season” is back. This year the G20 meeting of top global economies will also be hosted in Asia, as well as the Association of…
Economic diplomacy: Searching for APEC
A new horse in the regional race
It is hard to begrudge an ageing father opting for his daughter’s wedding over a leaders’ summit which has lost its early lustre. But Joe Biden…
EU in the driver’s seat on Indo-Pacific trade deals
Australia’s long-running free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union seem to be emerging from the hiatus they were plunged into by the Morrison government’s…
The Quad needs a stronger economic message
The Quad has declared itself “a force for good”. At a summit in Tokyo in May, the leaders of Japan, the United States, Australia and India pledged to bring tangible benefits to…
Economic diplomacy: No free lunches for national security
Phones or thrones
Here’s an interesting context for considering whether the Australian government struck the right balance in development aid last year by spending more money…
Economic diplomacy: The Pacific reset needs real commercial investment
Betting on bula
Pacific relations may have been an expected conflict zone at the last federal election but once in office the new Albanese government has doubled down on a big…
Economic diplomacy: The Pacific beats ASEAN for nervous investors
Sticky money
As the new Labor government oscillates between promoting investment in Southeast Asia to deepen security ties and trying to keep the Pacific family together in the…
Economic diplomacy: New supply chains to Jakarta and beyond
Sixth time lucky
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a textbook start to re-engagement with Indonesia taking a substantial delegation of ministers and businesspeople on his…
Economic diplomacy: New Labor ministers are facing up to old issues
Made in Australia
When incoming Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wanted to regenerate a tired Japanese government last year, he appointed an economic security minister to chart an…