News analysis

Albanese’s China trip reflects new realities shaping ties with China, the US

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Great Hall of the People on July 15.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Jonathan Pearlman and Lim Min Zhang

SYDNEY/BEIJING - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced intense pressure in recent months to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss tariffs and the fate of a deal to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Though he has yet to secure a meeting with President Trump, Mr Albanese jetted to China this week and

met Chinese President Xi Jinping

The six-day trip to China – from July 12 to July 18 – does not indicate that he has suddenly decided to pursue closer ties with Australia’s largest trading partner at the expense of ties with the US, Australia’s closest security ally.

Indeed, he did not shy away from discussing differences during his meeting with Mr Xi. Mr Albanese said he raised concerns about

China’s lack of notice before holding live-fire drills

But Mr Albanese’s trip reflects two new realities shaping his approach to navigating ties with the US and China.

First, his