Trade

WA forecastIron ore to keep worst of pandemic fallout at bay

WA is poised to outperform the national economy during the coronavirus pandemic but will still succumb to the forces driving the wider Australian economy into recession, a new report predicts.

Danielle Le Messurier

Imports fallAustralia’s trade surplus up 2pc in May

Imports of consumption goods was steeply lower, down 14 per cent to $8.9b.

Derek Rose

Gareth ParkerWhy anxious times with US and China call for calm heads

These are anxious, worrying times. We don’t trust Donald Trump, but we still put great value on the US security alliance. And our attitudes towards China have shifted significantly.

Gareth Parker

Call to actionPerth small businesses unite to urge people back

Perth business owners have joined forces to front a new campaign urging West Australians to return to the city and support those hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Meilin Chew

TRADE PLOYBusiness heavyweight tasked with China ‘link building’

Pru Bennett has been appointed to lead the Federal Government's new foundation for Australian-China relations — tasked to ‘build links’ with Beijing amidst concerns about trade with the superpower.

Annabel Hennessy

Economic outlookChina stoush could cost economy $50 billion

Up to one third of Australia’s exports to China are “at risk” amid rising trade tensions between the two countries, according to a leading economist.

Meilin Chew

Trade tiesTime for Australia to look to India

Strong trade and closer ties with India would help ease Australia’s economic and political vulnerability to China, says Adil Cader.

Adil Cader

Coronavirus updateCOVID-affected sheep ship finally departs WA

The coronavirus-afflicted Al Kuwait livestock ship has begun its delayed departure from Western Australia, carrying about 35,000 sheep to the Middle East.

Tally growsWA records fresh COVID case as sheep await export

One new coronavirus case has been recorded in Western Australia, while bad weather continues to delay a shipment of about 35,000 sheep bound for the Middle East.

Another setbackRough seas, storm delays Al Kuwait sheep voyage

After a dramatic few weeks, the live export carrier still won’t be able to depart for the Middle East as planned.

Jenne Brammer

Export optionsAustralia hits up UK for free trade talks

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham announcing talks with the UK on a free trade agreement have begun as the Morrison Government looks to diversify export markets and reduce Australia’s reliance on China.

Lanai Scarr

On a go-slowNew China outbreak another blow for WA crayfishers

The beach price for crays has plunged and fishers only just starting to recover from February’s COVID-19 all-stop are again cutting back on their catch as some China markets ban seafood imports.

Jenne Brammer

On the waySheep ship to sail after activists lose court appeal

There is finally some certainty over the fate of almost 50,000 sheep destined for Kuwait, after efforts by an activist group to stop the delayed shipment from Fremantle were dismissed.

Jenne Brammer

Virus shipAll clear for Al Kuwait crew as COVID tally sinks

All crew from a livestock ship that has been stranded at a West Australian port for more than three weeks have been cleared of COVID-19 as WA’s active cases tally is reduced to just two.

Setting sailAl Kuwait given approval to sail despite summer ban

The Al Kuwait will set sail for the Middle East with 50,000 WA sheep after the exporter received an exemption to ship during the northern summer ban.

Jenne Brammer

Trade painWA barley crop down 230,000ha after China tariff hike

WA grain farmers planted 230,000ha less of barley than originally planned, after Chinese authorities slammed the door shut on the grain by introducing 80 per cent tariffs.

Jenne Brammer

New partnersTimely Indonesia trade boost after China blow

The Indonesia-Australia trade agreement — which comes into force next month — could not have come at a better time for WA

Jenne Brammer

Escalating tensionsChina travel warning could hurt economy

China’s travel alert cautioning its residents against visiting Australia could put a dent in the nation’s economic growth, according to a new report by NAB.

Meilin Chew

Q and APremier talks borders, home grants and Bunnings snags

Appearing in an online question and answer session, Mark McGowan has opened up on the timing of WA’s Building Bonus Package, the potential for interstate travel and even Bunnings’ sausage sizzles.

Josh Zimmerman

Right responsesAgricultural exports defy pandemic woes

A new report says Australia’s agricultural exports remained strong during the height of COVID-19, largely because of the quick responses by government and industry.

Jenne Brammer

New marketsIndia opens opportunities for Aussie grain

Australia could sell more pulses into India after it took the first steps to lower tariffs imposed 18 months ago.

Jenne Brammer

Strategic partnershipWA to benefit as India trade ties strengthen

A landmark trade arrangement with India will be a boon for WA’s economy, as Scott Morrison calls for ‘broader and deeper’ ties with India, which WA exports $1.7 billion worth of goods to annually.

Sarah Ison

Customer’s furySheep ship ‘insult’ threatens WA farmers’ future

WA farmers and a major live exporter say a decision by the Federal Government to refuse an application to ship sheep to the Middle East is ‘insulting’ to the customer.

Jenne Brammer, Peter De Kruijff and Sarah Ison

Al KuwaitMercy voyage refused as virus ship sheep stuck in WA

The fate of 56,000 sheep from the virus-hit Al Kuwait stranded at a Perth feedlot is in limbo tonight after the Federal Government refused an exemption for them to be exported.

Rourke Walsh and Jenne Brammer