<p>Washington: Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will testify at a US House panel hearing on Wednesday about countering China's "economic coercion against democracies," the committee said on Friday.</p><p>Former US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will also testify before the House Select Committee on China.</p> .<p>Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its 5G broadband network in 2018, cooled further after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19.</p><p>China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as "economic coercion."</p><p>Morrison was defeated in a bid for reelection in 2022.</p><p>Reuters reported this week</p> .<p>Canberra is close to an agreement with Beijing that would allow Australian suppliers to ship five trial canola cargoes to China, sources familiar with the matter said, a move towards ending a years-long freeze in the trade. China imposed 100% tariffs on Canadian canola meal and oil this year amid strained diplomatic ties.</p><p>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China this week, underscoring a warming of ties Emanuel, who told a Chicago news outlet last month he is considering a run for president in 2028, has been a harsh critic of China, saying last year</p><p>Beijing constantly uses coercion and pressures other countries, including Japan and the Philippines.</p><p>"Economic coercion by China is their most persistent and pernicious tool in their toolbox," Emanuel said in a separate speech in 2023.</p><p>The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. </p>
<p>Washington: Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will testify at a US House panel hearing on Wednesday about countering China's "economic coercion against democracies," the committee said on Friday.</p><p>Former US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will also testify before the House Select Committee on China.</p> .<p>Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its 5G broadband network in 2018, cooled further after Canberra called for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19.</p><p>China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as "economic coercion."</p><p>Morrison was defeated in a bid for reelection in 2022.</p><p>Reuters reported this week</p> .<p>Canberra is close to an agreement with Beijing that would allow Australian suppliers to ship five trial canola cargoes to China, sources familiar with the matter said, a move towards ending a years-long freeze in the trade. China imposed 100% tariffs on Canadian canola meal and oil this year amid strained diplomatic ties.</p><p>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China this week, underscoring a warming of ties Emanuel, who told a Chicago news outlet last month he is considering a run for president in 2028, has been a harsh critic of China, saying last year</p><p>Beijing constantly uses coercion and pressures other countries, including Japan and the Philippines.</p><p>"Economic coercion by China is their most persistent and pernicious tool in their toolbox," Emanuel said in a separate speech in 2023.</p><p>The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. </p>