Economy

30 October 2025
Yields on 10-year government bonds in New Zealand have dropped below those in Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, is set to discuss critical minerals when he meets with U.S. leader Donald Trump in Washington. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
Commodities

Critical minerals on the agenda as Australian PM to meet with Trump

Albanese's White House visit comes as US scramble to shift supply chains away from China

20 October 2025
A cargo ship full of shipping containers is seen at the Port of Oakland, California, on Aug. 4. U.S. President Donald Trump says he will impose another 100% tariff on Chinese imports on Nov. 1.
17 October 2025
Beef is displayed for sale at a butcher shop in Melbourne, Australia on April 4. 
Agriculture

China snubs US beef in trade war win for Australia's farmers

Combination of increasing exports and higher global prices bolster local sector

13 October 2025
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Oct. 8 interest rate decision went against 15 of 26 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll. 
Economy

NZ central bank cuts rates by more than expected, flags further easing

Benchmark interest rate drops 50 basis points, offering some relief to nation's PM

8 October 2025
The entrance to the Granny Smith gold mine in Laverton, Australia. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Getty)
Commodities

Gold surge bolsters Australia's exports despite LNG and coal headwinds

Rising prices may vault metal into 2nd place among country's most lucrative exports

7 October 2025
BHP's headquarters in Melbourne: The mining group is the world's largest, and Australia is the world's top supplier of iron ore. China, the world's biggest producer of steel, is by far its top market.
Commodities

Australian miner BHP stock drops after report of China sales ban

Government leaders, including Albanese, call reports concerning and urge swift resolution

1 October 2025
Asia's drugmakers are digesting the implications of the latest U.S. tariff announcement, a 100% duty on imports of branded pharmaceutical products.
Pharmaceuticals

Asian drugmakers' shares hit as Trump announces 100% tariff

Duty on branded medicines a blow for makers from Australia to Japan to South Korea

26 September 2025
Anna Breman was nominated for the role after the RBNZ board conducted a worldwide search and identified 300 potential candidates.
Finance

New Zealand names Anna Breman as central bank governor

Swedish central bank deputy becomes first female chief at Reserve Bank of New Zealand

24 September 2025
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, far right, meets with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, far left, at the Prime Minister's Office in July. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
International relations

Japan to aid Papua's disaster preparedness, countering China influence

Tokyo hopes to strengthening ties by providing heavy machinery

14 September 2025
Torquay surfers take to the sea on Aug. 17. Among the world's largest makers of surfing equipment, Australia's 'big three' face challenges appealing to both hardcore enthusiasts and more casual fans of the lifestyle. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Big in Asia

Australia's surf giants drift as big retail, newcomers catch wave

Some see Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong closer to mall than beach, shedding cool

13 September 2025
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat did not sign a landmark security and economic deal, but remain committed to doing so. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
International relations

Australia and Vanuatu still expect to ink security pact despite delay

Pacific island nation's prime minister holds off on signing deal amid internal divisions

9 September 2025
Commonwealth Bank was inundated with calls following the voice bot introduction, requiring managers to work overtime and answer the phones themselves. (Photo by Sophie Mak)
31 August 2025
Postal systems in Asia are scrambling to set up systems to collect duties on low-value parcels bound for the U.S.
Trade

Asia postal services halt US-bound items after Trump customs changes

Washington ends under-$800 duty waiver on parcels

26 August 2025
Sydney's Central Business District. The latest wage figures imply a solid rise in real earnings that should support consumer spending.
Economy

Australia's wage growth steadies after more than a year of declines

Wage price index rose 0.8% in Q2 supported by public sector pay rises

13 August 2025
The Reserve Bank of Australia trimmed its cash rate on Tuesday as expected.
Markets

Australia's central bank cuts interest rate on low inflation

RBA lowers growth projection, predicting 1.7% for this year followed by 2.1% in 2026

12 August 2025
 Beef is Australia's biggest export to the U.S. Australia's restrictions on imports of American beef had been a sore point for President Donald Trump. 
Trump tariffs

Australia escapes US tariff rise with 'calm' approach to Trump

Expert warns of negative impact from breakdown in rules-based system

1 August 2025
Angus beef cattle are seen at Coombing Park farm in Carcoar, Australia on April 17.
Trade

Australia lifts biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports

Limits drew criticism from Trump; Canberra says decision unrelated to trade

24 July 2025
Commuters move through Central Station in Sydney on Jan. 15. Australia's unemployment rate rose in June as the country faces weak domestic growth and an unclear foreign trade outlook.
Economy

Australia unemployment spikes as trade tensions hinder hiring

Jobless rate hits highest point since 2021, piling pressure on central bank

17 July 2025
Employees work inside a Cadila Pharmaceuticals manufacturing unit on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on April 12.
Trump tariffs

Trump's pharma tariff pivot hits Australian and India drugmakers

Shares volatile after US president indicates levy will be brought forward

16 July 2025
Japan, Australia, Canada and South Korea should form a grouping known as JACK. (Source photos by Reuters and Uichiro Kasai)
Opinion

Hit the road, JACK! Time for a new 'Fab Four'

Japan, Australia, Canada and (South) Korea should band together

8 July 2025
A liquefied natural gas carrier near JERA's power plant in Futtsu, Japan. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Energy

Top Japan power provider JERA to triple LNG imports from US

Move to diversify sourcing dominated by Australia, Russia and Malaysia

12 June 2025
The Western Range iron ore mine in Australia is 54% owned by Rio Tinto and 46% by Baowu, China's largest steel company. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
Commodities

Rio Tinto and China's Baowu open iron mine in Australia

Project in Pilbara officially kicks off as Trump tariffs add uncertainty to steel sector

6 June 2025
Australian Minister for Trade Don Farrell, left, met with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Paris on June 4. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
Trade

Australia and EU revive trade talks amid Trump turmoil

Progress had been stalled since 2023 over agricultural issues

5 June 2025
Two Royal Australian Air Force cargo planes fly over soldiers during a recent exercise: The size of the country's defense budget is a topic of debate. (Australia Government Department of Defence)
Defense

We decide defense policy: Australia PM reacts to US spending demand

Hegseth asks Australia to lift defense budget to 3.5% of GDP 'as soon as possible'

2 June 2025
The board of the Reserve Bank of Australia warned the global economic outlook remained volatile, amid U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. 
Markets

Australia's central bank cuts interest rates by 25 basis points

Moderating inflation helps the country amid the global chaos of Trump's shifts

20 May 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inspect guards of honor during a welcoming ceremony before their meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
International relations

Indonesia upbeat on CPTPP and OECD bids with Australia backing

Albanese announces support for new wealth fund Danantara after Prabowo meeting

15 May 2025
Rio Tinto's Bell Bay aluminum smelter in Australia. A senior executive at the mining giant says it would take "many, many years" to build up U.S. production of the metal.
Commodities

Rio Tinto exec doubts tariffs will move aluminum production to US

Mining giant expects import levy to be largely passed on through higher prices

15 May 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses a crowd in Sydney following his victory in the federal election on May 3. 
Australia election

Australia's Labor vows to protect economy from trade war's 'dark shadow'

After landslide, PM Albanese faces questions over new growth engines, cost-of-living

4 May 2025
Australia's federal election features a faceoff between incumbent Anthony Albanese (left) and Peter Dutton of the opposition. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Getty Images) 
Policy Asia

Australia election rivals pledge spending surge even as budget chasm beckons

Fiscal soundness seen hostage to spending as cost of living crisis dominates campaign

2 May 2025