From Observation to Alienation: The Economic Causes of Australia’s Attitude towards the Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract

This paper focuses exclusively on economic factors to explore Australia’s attitude shift towards the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) from 2013 to 2026, tracing its trajectory from cautious observation to deliberate alienation. Through an in-depth analysis of structural trade dependency, global market competitiveness pressures, and investment security paranoia. The study argues that Australia’s stance is not a passive response to geopolitical shifts but a strategic choice driven by inherent economic anxieties, aiming to offer insights into the dynamics of middle-power responses to China’s international cooperation initiatives. The research demonstrates how dependency on China’s market, competition in key sectors such as resources and infrastructure, and distorted perceptions of Chinese investment have collectively shaped Australia’s alienation from the BRI. The findings highlight the complexity of economic interdependence in bilateral relations.