While on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to strike energy and civilian infrastructure in Iran and warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the country’s “stable and constructive relationship” with China.
[NOTE: President Trump recently lashed out against Australia (and other military allies, including South Korea and Japan) for not “helping” the U.S. with the war in Iran, while simultaneously claiming the U.S. didn’t need help.]
Prime Minister Albanese wrote Tuesday on social media: “Now more than ever, our relationships with our neighbours matter. Tonight I spoke with Premier Li Qiang of the People’s Republic of China. We talked about the importance of energy security, and how we can work together for the benefit of our nations and our region. We will continue to engage in dialogue to maintain our stable and constructive relationship.”
Now more than ever, our relationships with our neighbours matter.
Tonight I spoke with Premier Li Qiang of the People’s Republic of China. We talked about the importance of energy security, and how we can work together for the benefit of our nations and our region.
We will…
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 7, 2026
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland added that Australia’s position remains to call for an “urgent de-escalation” of the war in the Middle East. Rowland said Tuesday: “Australians and innocent people around the world and in the region are being impacted by events that they didn’t cause, but it is having lasting impacts. It’s having impacts on our supply chains and causing real anxiety for Australians.”
[NOTE: Australia imports roughly 90% of its refined fuel, with the majority sourced from Asia-Pacific refiners, including China, Singapore, and South Korea.]
Not all Australians are accepting the relationship with China without question. Graham Young, Executive Director of the Australian Institute for Progress, replied: “Just wondering how many refined petroleum products we purchase from the PRC? Did they give you an undertaking not to invade Taiwan? Have they stopped dumping product in Australia?”
As seen below, Young also criticized Albanese when he addressed the nation last week about the war in Iran (see below), how it’s affecting Australians especially at gas stations and supermarkets, and what the government is doing “to shield Australia in these uncertain times.”
“We interrupt normal programming for this public service announcement. Please be kind to each other. That’s the Australian way.” That’s it from Albo. No apology for the lack of mandated reserves? No admitting how dangerous the world is and that Australia needs to urgently build… https://t.co/cncKr1xMCJ
— Graham Young (@GrahamY) April 1, 2026