Navigating Great Power Rivalry: Australia Between the United States and China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62527/jlast.3.2.165Abstract
The growing rivalry between the United States and China represents a major strategic challenge in contemporary International Relations, with significant implications for regional stability in Asia. Scholars such as Hugh White warn that the absence of a cooperative relationship between the two powers may lead to long-term instability, affecting regional actors, including Australia. Caught between its security alliance with the United States and its deep economic interdependence with China, Australia faces a complex strategic dilemma. While the United States remains Australia’s primary security partner, China has become its largest trading partner, placing Australia in a vulnerable position amid intensifying great power competition. Using a qualitative literature review, this article examines Australia’s potential role in facilitating improved US-China relations while balancing its strategic and economic interests. It argues that Australia must adopt a nuanced and proactive strategy to manage great power rivalry and safeguard its national interests
References
Apriliana, A. (2024). Through the Reactive to Proactive Thinking: Foresight of the AUKUS Agreement Rational Practice in the Indo-Pacific. Uti Possidetis: Journal of International Law, 5(2), 155–195.
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2012, October 17). United States of America : Australia-US Alliance. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Bassi, J. (2025, July 15). China is still coercing Australia—with implicit threats. The Strategist.
Bateman, S. (2010). The South China Sea: When the Elephants Dance. RSIS.
Chang, C. (2025). “Glaring mismatch”: Why Australia has few good defence options without the US. SBS News.
Clarke, M. (2025). Therefore, Australia needs to promote a new order in Asia that accommodates China’s rise and encourages Americans to accept China’s new role in the region. Springer Nature Link.
Dupont, A. (2011, June 17). Living with the dragon: why Australia needs a China strategy. Lowy.
Edwards, P. (2005, December 14). Permanent friends? Historical reflections on the Australian-American alliance. Lowy Institute.
Edwards, P. (2021, August 16). ANZUS at 70: Menzies, Spender and the creation of ANZUS. The Strategist.
Filton, D. (2012, February 8). Australia ‘too close’ to US. The Sydney Morning Herald.
Furso-Roberts, D. (2022, November 18). The eminent legacy of Percy Spender. Menzies Research Centre.
Geoffrey, G. (2011). Why we love triangle works. The Australian.
Golley, J. (2008, August 11). Australia has a valuable role in the ‘great balancing act. East Asia Forum.
Hains, H. (2025, September 8). Australia Faces New Tests in US Ties Under Trump’s Second Term. Modern Diplomacy.
He, B. (2021). Taming Chinese power: decoding the dynamics of Australian foreign policies toward the rise of China. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 75(6), 650–664. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2021.1992143
Herscovitch, B. (2012, July 24). Region needs US to counter rising Chinese power. The Canberra Times.
Jennings, P. (2012, August 17). Ken Henry misses the big picture’. The Australian.
Laurenceson, J. (2025, October 29). Australia’s Strategic Objectives in a Changing Regional Order. UTS.
Mai, Y., & Adam, P. (2005). Modelling the Potential Benefits of an Australia-China Free Trade Agreement, The Center of Policy Study.
Malik, M. (2012). The China factor in Australia-U.S Relations. China Brief, 5(8).
Marcer, P. (2012, July 26). Australia Urged to Defuse South China Sea Tensions. VOA.
National Geographic Kids. (2012). China. National Geographic Kids.
Paik, K., & Poling. (2025, June 9). Australia Doubles Down on Southeast Asia. CSIS.
Palazzo, A. (2025). Australia becomes a risk-taking ally. Theinterpreter.
Rees, M. (2025). AUKUS as ontological security – Australian foreign policy in an age of uncertainty. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 79(1), 91–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2024.2409358
Saraswati, D., & Indrawati. (2025). Australia’s Security Strategy In responding to China’s threat In rhe Indo-Pacific region through the 2021-2024 AUKUS. Journal of Social Politics and Governance, 7(1), 64–80.
Schneider, G. (2018). Conflict Management under Conditions of Asymmetric Power. WANDEL DER KRIEGFÜHRUNG GROSSER MÄCHTE, 36(1).
Siracusa, J. M. (2005, October 21). John Howard, Australia & the Coalition of the Willing. Yale.
Storey, I. (2010). Political and Military Developments’. Special Report , 36.
Tekiteki, S., & Kabutaulaka, T. (2025, July 21). Between Partnership and Primacy: Australia’s Diplomatic Posture in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The Diplomat.
The Australian. (2012). The Austalian,’Australia’s China balancing act. The Australian.
Tow, W. T., & Hay, L. (2001a). Australia, the United States and a “China growing strong”: Managing conflict avoidance. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 55(1), 37–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357710120055067
Tow, W. T., & Hay, L. (2001b). Australia, the United States and a “China growing strong”: Managing conflict avoidance. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 55(1), 37–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357710120055067
Triki, A. G. A. (2026). Understanding the South China Sea Crisis: State Claims, International Interventions, and Implications. Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/app5.70040
Trisni, S., Apriwan, A., & Irawan, P. (2016). Strategi Indonesia dalam Merespon Kebangkitan Tiongkokpada Masa Kepemimpinan Presiden SBY (Studi Kasus: Konflik Laut Tiongkok Selatan). Andalas Journal of International Studies (AJIS), 5(2), 129. https://doi.org/10.25077/ajis.5.2.129-150.2016
Trisni, S., Sinulingga, A., & Isnarti, R. (2018). Upaya Indonesia dalam Menyelesaikan Konflik Laut Tiongkok Selatan melalui Kerjasama ASEAN pada Masa Pemerintahan Presiden SBY. Power in International Relations, 2(2), 143–155.
Uren, D. (2024). The trade routes vital to Australia’s economic Security.
Vuving, A. (2020). The Strategic Environment of the US-Australia Alliance in the Indo-Pacific Era. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/xbtq6
Weasley, M. (2012). What’s at stake in the South China Sea?
Wen, P. (2012, May 16). Chinese official : it’s us or America. The Age.
White, H. (2011). Power shift: rethinking Australia’s place in the Asian century. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 65(1), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2011.535603
Xue, Y. (2023). Balancing against China with Confidence. Asia Policy, 18(1), 115–141.
Yang, J. (2023, February 15). China-Australia Trade War Shows No Sign of Abating . The Diplomat.
