Ex-Australian PM Scott Morrison is to appear before the US House committee next week to give evidence on China’s “economic coercion” of democracies. His testimony comes after a major trip to China by incumbent Australian PM Anthony Albanese in a move that has signalled a change in diplomatic relations.
While Scott Morrison previously advocated for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 that resulted in trade retaliation from China, Albanese is looking to rebuild such relations. The timing of Morrison’s appearance and Albanese’s trip highlights a widening split in Australia’s strategy with Beijing under the two governments.
Morrison to Testify at US House Hearing
The US House China committee announced on Friday that Morrison will testify at a hearing aimed at countering Chinese economic pressure. Rahm Emanuel, a former US ambassador to Japan, will also testify. Emanuel has repeatedly charged China with employing economic coercion to bully countries such as Japan and the Philippines.
The hearing follows heightened US-China tensions and a bid by Washington to rally allies. Morrison, who is noted for his hawkish approach to Beijing, is still a vocal critic of Chinese trade policy.
From Cooperation to Confrontation
The relationship between Australia and China deteriorated in 2018. In that year, Morrison’s government excluded Huawei from its 5G broadband network. The two worsened relations in 2020 when his government called for an independent probe into the source of the COVID-19 virus.
Beijing retaliated aggressively. It imposed high tariffs on Australian wine and barley. It also banned beef, coal, and grape imports. The US decried the actions as “economic coercion.”
Albanese’s Beijing Visit Marks Thaw
Anthony Albanese was elected as PM in 2022 after beating Morrison. Australia has adopted a more diplomatic approach under his rule. This week, Albanese travelled to Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu as part of an effort to restore trade relations.
Opponents had queried the worth of the six-day visit. But Albanese stood up for it, recalling that Morrison’s administration did not even conduct one phone call with China.
Australia and China are reportedly near agreement. It would enable five trial shipments of canola from Australia to enter China. It would put an end to a trade freeze, given that China has 100% tariffs imposed on Canadian canola.
US Eyes Chinese Economic Pressure
Rahm Emanuel, who teased last month that he might seek the US presidency in 2028, will be present alongside Morrison at the US House committee. Emanuel last year stated that China heavily depends on coercion as a strategic tool.
He warned that economic intimidation is still Beijing’s “most persistent and pernicious” instrument. The Chinese embassy in Washington has not yet commented on the news.
