China and Australia have been in a quasi-tit-for-tat trade war that has left both countries suffering economic consequences. Australia’s complaints range from a lack of transparency regarding the origin of COVID-19 to serious human rights concerns that are—to use the words of Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne—‘deeply disturbing’. Meanwhile, China has presented Australia with a list of grievances, including interference with internal affairs, spreading anti-China rhetoric, and blocking investments based on unfounded and “opaque national security grounds.” The disagreements have embroiled large sectors of both economies, tech giants, and has had politicians on both sides exchanging vitriol.
