Views on the impact of China-US trade frictions

The US is acting unilaterally, and whether or not it is found to be in breach of its WTO commitments its behavior is against the principles of the multilateral trading system.

To the extent it harms the rules-based system, this should be of concern to all countries, not only China. All countries, including Australia, need to be urging the United States to adhere to the norms of the system that has served the international community so well for the past 70 years.

Inevitably it will be resolved through negotiations and diplomacy, but at what time and cost to every nation remains to be seen.