The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA): Assessing outcomes a decade on

This article appeared in Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, vol. 12, issue 3. https://doi.org/10.1002/app5.70047.

Abstract

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) was signed in June 2015. Unlike other deals that Australia struck with Japan and Korea around the same time, ChAFTAʼs passage through the Australian parliament was vigorously contested. This Policy Forum begins by recounting the claims of ChAFTAʼs Australian proponents and critics. It then uses these to structure an assessment of outcomes a decade on. The weight of evidence favours ChAFTAʼs proponents. A review of Chinese perspectives on the other hand points to different metrics and a more ambiguous assessment. Nonetheless, ChAFTAʼs net benefits have been sufficient to secure ongoing governmental and broader public support.

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