Part 5/10:
The Vanishing Trade and Misplaced Optimism
Another point of contention revolves around Australia’s economic relationship with China. Official Australian policy emphasizes diversifying trade away from China; however, Sheridan suggests that Albanese’s trip may have inadvertently reinforced dependence. Sheridan sees the visit as not only fruitless but potentially "more dependent" on China, undermining Australia’s diversification efforts.