An American demand comes with awkward timing for Anthony Albanese’s China trip
As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was receiving a Shanghai Port Football Club jersey emblazoned with his name and strolling the world famous Bund waterfront, he was also getting a message from Washington.
It first came via a media report.
The Financial Times had reported an anonymously sourced story on Saturday that the Pentagon was pressuring Australia and Japan to make clear what role they would play if the United States went to war over Taiwan.
The US itself holds its own policy of strategic ambiguity over the potential to any conflict and the role it would play.
Since the article was released the US under secretary for Defense Elbridge Colby took to social media in response to a post about the story. He did not dispute the sourced report, underscored the US defence policy of “peace through strength”, and again urged allies to increase defence spending.
This is awkward timing for a debate over Taiwan, coming while Australia’s leader is on a five-day trip to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu to talk trade, tourism, decarbonisation and even a Panda breeding centre.
If Australia’s defence policy on Beijing’s long-held ambitions for “reunification” with Taiwan wasn’t yet a key agenda item — it will be now.
Albanese’s Defence Industry Minister was the first to be asked whether Australia would commit to joining the US if it entered a war with China over Taiwanese sovereignty.
Pat Conroy ruled out committing to such a conflict ahead of time, reiterating the government’s longstanding position.
“The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance,” he said.
“Sovereignty will always be prioritised.”
“We have contributed as well to AUKUS already. Going forward, $1 billion being forwarded to help increase the industrial capacity in the United States and we’ll continue to invest in whatever we need to improve our capability,” he said.
