Toward Decline
Why Australia’s Getting Tough on China Again
Foreign Policy Major outlet·2026-08-17China EconomyP5: Strategic DecouplingP7: Alliance Architecture
Why it matters
This article documents Australia's strategic pivot from the Morrison-era 'pushback' posture toward explicit economic re-engagement and diplomatic normalization with China under Albanese. The lifting of all Chinese embargoes and adoption of 'constructive' rather than confrontational rhetoric signals a weakening of Decoupling (Pillar 5) and a shift in alliance messaging (Pillar 7) that hollows the credibility of Australia's stated reliance on Pax Americana, increasing exposure to both US withdrawal and Chinese coercive strategies on Taiwan.
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