Omari Gates
Australia has a long history of helping and receiving help from other countries. In recent times, Australia has been criticized for its handling of the bushfires and its relationship with China. During the bushfires, countries like Canada and the US sent firefighters to help, while the Australian government was criticized for not doing enough. In terms of foreign policy, Australia and Britain have criticized China for its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea, and called on countries to refrain from supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Australia has also been working to repair its relationship with China after several years of tensions. Economically, Australia has benefited from its trade surplus with the US, which has helped protect its agricultural exports from tariffs. Overall, Australia's relationships with other countries are complex and multifaceted, with both positive and negative aspects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries helping Australia | Canada, the US, the UK |
| How they are helping | Sent help to fight fires, avoided tariff 'wheel of misfortune' |
| Countries Australia is helping | Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Laos, Vietnam |
| How Australia is helping | Immunisation, early childhood education, landmine removal, poverty reduction, clean water, sanitation facilities, improved agricultural practices, schools, health clinics |
| Countries Australia is criticising | China, Russia |
| How Australia is criticising | China's actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea, China's support of Russia, Russia's invasion of Ukraine |
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What You'll Learn
The US's trade surplus with Australia
The US and Australia have a close and cooperative trade relationship, underpinned by the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The US closely monitors the implementation of the FTA and meets regularly with Australia to discuss the functioning of the agreement and address specific trade issues.
In 2024, the US goods trade with Australia totalled an estimated $51.3 billion. US goods exports to Australia were $34.6 billion, and imports from Australia totalled $16.7 billion. This resulted in a US goods trade surplus with Australia of $17.9 billion in 2024, a 1.6% increase over 2023.
The US-Australia trade surplus has helped shield Australian food and agricultural exports from the new wave of US tariffs under the Trump administration. According to a report by Rabobank, Australia is identified as one of the trade partners of the US that is at the lowest risk of future direct tariffs due to the balance of trade being in the US's favour. This includes significant Australian agricultural exports to the US, such as beef, lamb, and wine.
In 2025, Australia experienced a rare trade surplus with the US due to a jump in gold exports and a recovery in iron ore shipments. Australian goods exports to the US surged to A$16.7 billion ($10.71 billion) in the first quarter, with a goods surplus of A$4.1 billion. This was driven by a rush to buy gold in the US, as buyers stocked up on physical metal to cover positions in futures markets.
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International firefighters helping with bushfires
Australia has received international support and solidarity in response to its bushfires. Many countries have offered aid and assistance to Australia to help tackle the raging fires.
The United States sent over 100 firefighters to Australia, with 87 of them helping in New South Wales and Victoria. The U.S. Forest Service also provided a tanker plane. Canada also sent firefighters, with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne reiterating that they were "prepared to consider further assistance as necessary" and recalling the help Australia provided during Canadian wildfires. Papua New Guinea also offered to send 1,000 soldiers and firefighters if requested by the Australian Prime Minister. Firefighting departments in Belgium and the French area of Isère also volunteered to help. Singapore offered helicopters, and other countries also provided support and donations.
The Australian bushfires have seen an outpouring of support from people around the world, with many volunteering and donating to help. Celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth, Nicole Kidman, and Sir Elton John made donations in support of rescue efforts. Tennis stars, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, participated in a fundraising match before the Australian Open in Melbourne. Additionally, the Australia Zoo treated over 90,000 animal patients during the bushfires.
The bushfires in Australia have had a devastating impact, with an area of 50,000 square kilometres scorched, at least 25 lives lost, around 2,000 homes destroyed, and an estimated 1 billion animals killed. The fires filled the skies with smoke and devastated local ecosystems. The scale and intensity of the bushfires shocked people worldwide, prompting international support and assistance to combat the fires and alleviate the damage caused.
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Australia-China tensions
Australia and China have had a complex relationship marked by periods of cooperation and tension. In recent years, tensions between the two countries have escalated due to several factors.
One significant factor contributing to the tensions is the growing concern in Australia about Chinese political influence in various sectors, including the government, universities, and media. Australia has also been wary of China's stance on the South China Sea dispute and its assertive behaviour in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these tensions, especially after Australia called for an international inquiry into the origins of the disease, which led to economic retaliation from China.
China has imposed tariffs and restrictions on several Australian exports, including wine, barley, live lobsters, timber, and beef. China's embassy listed 14 grievances with Australia, including blocking Chinese investments on national security grounds. Australia's decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership with the US and UK was also seen as a blow to the Australian-Chinese relationship.
Additionally, there have been incidents involving Australian citizens in China, such as the detention of Australian journalist Cheng Lei on national security charges and the arrest of Australian writer Yang Hengjun on espionage charges. These incidents have further strained the relationship between the two countries.
However, there have been recent efforts to improve ties. In July 2025, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China and met with President Xi Jinping and other officials. The visit focused on regional security tensions and economic ties, and it marked a potential reset in relations between the two countries. Albanese emphasised the benefits of a strong relationship, and Xi acknowledged the importance of stable bilateral ties.
In summary, Australia-China tensions have escalated due to concerns over political influence, regional security issues, economic disputes, and incidents involving citizens. While there are ongoing tensions, recent high-level engagements indicate a willingness to improve the relationship and navigate differences.
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Australia-US defence ties
Australia and the United States have a strong defence alliance, with the two countries having fought alongside each other in every major US military conflict over the past century, including World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The two countries also work together in the present day to combat violent extremist organisations like Al-Qaida and the Islamic State. This close partnership was formalised with the Australia, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) Security Treaty of 1951, which remains the foundation of the security relationship between the US and Australia.
The US is Australia's defence goods and services partner of choice, with the latter increasing its 10-year defence budget by 40% to $186 billion in 2020. The US has over $27 billion in active government-to-government sales cases with Australia, with FY 2020 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) sales totalling $1.71 billion. Some of the significant sales include Apache helicopters, MQ-9B UAS, M1 Abrams Tanks, Javelin FGM-148E missiles, and long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASMs).
The US-Australia alliance is considered an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the world, with both countries sharing a strong interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea, including in the South China Sea. They also cooperate closely through regional fora like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with Japan and India, and ASEAN.
In addition to defence ties, the US and Australia have strong economic, academic, and people-to-people relationships. Bilateral direct investment (FDI) totals nearly US $230 billion, with the US being Australia's largest foreign investor at $163 billion in 2018. US firms have operated in Australia for over 100 years and employ more than 300,000 Australians, contributing significantly to the country's GDP.
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Australia's defence capability without US support
Australia has been a long-time ally of the United States, coming to its aid in every major conflict from World War I to the war in Afghanistan. However, the Trump administration's unpredictable foreign policy decisions, such as threatening to disband NATO and calling for the annexation of Canada, have led to concerns about the reliability of the US as a security partner.
Australia's defence capabilities are closely tied to its alliance with the US. The US provides essential intelligence through the Five Eyes partnership and advanced military technology, including nuclear submarines as part of the AUKUS agreement. Without US support, Australia would need to significantly increase its defence spending to maintain its sovereign capacity.
In the absence of US protection, Australia may be vulnerable to potential attacks from neighbouring countries, such as China. China's growing dominance in the region could threaten Australia's alliance-like relationships with other countries.
To enhance its defence capabilities, Australia could consider acquiring nuclear weapons or seeking alternative defence agreements with other countries or trading blocs, such as the European Union. A self-reliant Australia would have more flexibility in its deterrence strategies, ranging from neutrality to nuclear armament.
While Australia has existing defence agreements with individual European countries, a formal security pact with the European Union as a whole could provide an alternative source of support. However, it is important to note that replicating the scale and breadth of the US-Australia alliance in any new arrangement would be challenging.
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Frequently asked questions
In the past, firefighters from other countries, including Canada and the US, have travelled to Australia to help fight fires. Australia and Britain have also criticised China for its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea, and its support of Russia. The two countries signed a new defence and security agreement in 2024, strengthening their security ties.
The US has been a long-time ally of Australia, with the latter lending support in every major conflict involving the US, from World War I to Afghanistan. The US's trade surplus with Australia has also helped Australian agriculture avoid tariffs.
China's foreign minister Wang Yi visited Australia in 2024, with Australia attempting to repair its relations with the country after several years of tensions.
The UK has deepened its security ties with Australia, signing a new defence agreement in 2024 that makes it easier for defence forces to operate together in each other's countries.
