Search
thewest.com.au
BusinessChevron Right Icon

Trade

Wine Times PremiumChina wine tariffs spark re-think and change of tact

A Great Southern geologist-turned-winemaker who lost $250,000 overnight after China implemented crushing tariffs two years ago has welcomed bilateral discussions but is unlikely to target the market again.

Cally Dupe

‘Educate east coast’PremiumLittleproud makes live sheep export plea to McGowan

Nationals Leader David Littleproud has called on Premier Mark McGowan to help him ‘educate east coast politicians’ on the importance of the live sheep export industry to WA, during a trip to the State.

Josh Zimmerman

China callingCommentsPremiumAlbanese stands firm amid China tensions

Anthony Albanese has responded to a message of congratulations he received last month from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang - on the same day The West Australian revealed Beijing was still waiting for a reply.

Peter Law

Opening dialoguesCommentsPremiumChina talks prompt hope for Australian exporters

Trade experts and local exporters say the first communication between Australia and China is a positive step but warn the road is fraught and a return to pre-tariff conditions should not be expected.

Adrian Lowe and Cheyanne Enciso

Port backlogsCommentsPremiumSupply chain won’t recover to pre-COVID days in 2023: DHL

Port congestion should ease next year highs, but not enough to restore global supply-chain flows to where they were before COVID, according to the head of DHL’s freight-forwarding unit.

Kyunghee Park

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Key marketCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
What it will take for China to drop Aussie trade sanctions

China’s top diplomat in Australia says the Asian powerhouse is ready to ‘look into the future’ and move forward with a ‘partnership and relationship in the spirit of mutual benefits’.

Peter Law

Symbolic roleUkraine wants free trade with Australia to bolster war-torn nation

Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has called for a free trade agreement to help bolster investment and development in the war-torn country.

Dominic Giannini

Market reformsPremiumTrade ministers head to WTO for talks

Agriculture, fishing and the impact of the Ukraine war will be key issues for new Trade Minister Don Farrell and his portfolio colleague Tim Ayres in Europe.

Paul Osborne

Trade talksCommentsWA business heavy-hitters lend weight to PM in Indonesia

Wesfarmers chief Rob Scott and Fortescue Metals Group deputy chairman Mark Barnaba are among a group of blue-chip company bosses in Indonesia with Anthony Albanese for the annual leaders meeting.

Danielle Le Messurier

Cha-ching!PremiumMid-year sales to rack-up $9b in spending

Retailers are expected to enjoy a near $9 billion windfall during the June mid-year sales, with most consumers spending more or the same at last year.

Colin Brinsden

Fresh startLabor urges China to drop trade barriers

Australia has called on China to remove trade restrictions to exports as a first step to mending diplomatic, political and business relations.

Paul Osborne

‘Not substantive’ CommentsPremiumBusiness awaits details of US economic framework

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Perth USAsia Centre support framework to expand the US’ economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific region but say the devil will be in the detail.

Danielle Le Messurier

‘New rules’PremiumUS Indo-Pacific economy plan includes Aust

US President Joe Biden has formally unveiled the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, which includes 13 founding countries including Australia.

Trevor Hunnicutt and Elaine Lies

Global shortagesCommentsSupply chain instability to ‘bounce back’ to Australia

The International Chamber of Commerce says governments must “double down” on the global trade agenda and avoid impulses towards onshoring, as supply chains disruptions continue to roil economies. 

Danielle Le Messurier

Zero toleranceCommentsPremiumSneakers to Teslas: China lockdowns upend supply chains

Supplies of Adidas sneakers and Bang & Olufsen speakers have been hit. Automakers from Toyota to Tesla are facing “unprecedented” costs and production hurdles. Sony is struggling to make enough PlayStations.

Ann Koh and Augusta Saraiva

Major trading partnerPremiumMcGowan slams Dutton for ‘irresponsible’ China war rhetoric

Premier Mark McGowan has renewed his attack on Defence Minister Peter Dutton over his ‘grossly irresponsible’ approach to diplomatic relations with Beijing while emphasising the importance of China to WA.

Josh Zimmerman

Live exportPremiumSheep shipping ban could make WA industry ‘unsustainable’

Western Australia’s lucrative sheep industries could become ‘unsustainable’ and ‘more susceptible to market volatility’ if Federal Labor’s plan to ban live exports is implemented, a leading analyst says.

Adam Poulsen

Ban planPremiumLabor MPs tight-lipped on plan to end live sheep exports

WA-based Federal Labor MPs and candidates have gone silent on live export after the party this week confirmed it would ban the live sheep trade if elected on May 21.

Adam Poulsen

‘Our policy’s changed’CommentsPremiumFederal Labor backflips on live export ban

Anthony Albanese has confirmed a Labor Government will not phase out live sheep exports if he becomes Prime Minister, saying the policy had ‘changed’.

Kimberley Caines

Texas calling?CommentsPremium‘Brand WA’: Call for State to get jump on global trade links

WA’s peak business body is urging Mark McGowan to reverse the “reputational damage” caused by two years of closed borders by focusing on international trade in next week’s State Budget.

Peter Law

New export marketsLabor lays out trade plan to reduce reliance on China

Australia would prioritise rapidly improving trade ties and establishing new export markets with Asian neighbours outside of China under an Albanese Labor Government.

Josh Zimmerman

Energy opportunityCommentsPremiumAussie LNG producers could fill Russia gap in Japan

Australian LNG exporters have a chance to expand exports to Japan should the country decide to stop imports from Russia, according to a respected industry analyst.

Stuart McKinnon

Building blocksCommentsPremiumInnovation key to construction industry’s future

More young people must take up apprenticeships to help the sector boost innovation and cope with increased demand, a WA carpenter has said.

Caitlin Paroczai

Partner ‘disagrees’CommentsPremiumRusal fires back at Rio’s move on Gladstone refinery

Rio Tinto’s Russian joint venture partner in a Queensland alumina refinery has hit back at moves by the mining giant to take full control of the operation.

Daniel Newell