‘China has a lot of leverage': Tariff trade feud part of a ‘broader cold war'
Former DFAT Australia-China Council scholar Andrew Phelan discusses the increasing tensions between the US and China following the recent tariffs implemented by the American president.
'China has a lot of leverage here,' Mr Phelan said.
'This is not just a part of the trade war but a broader cold war if you like.
'Both sides are playing real hardball at the moment and the auto industry has been caught unaware and unprepared.'
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The Advertiser
19 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Judge blocks Trump's Harvard international students ban
A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from barring US entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. Under a two-page temporary restraining order granted to Harvard, US District Judge Allison Burroughs on Thirsday enjoined Trump's proclamation from taking effect pending further litigation of the matter amid an escalating dispute between the Ivy League school and Republican president. The judge ruled Trump's directive prohibiting foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard for the next six months would cause "immediate and irreparable injury" before the courts have a chance to review the case. Burroughs in May had blocked Trump from implementing a separate order prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students, who make up more than a quarter of its student body. Harvard on Thursday amended its lawsuit to challenge the new directive, claiming Trump is violating Burroughs' decision. "The Proclamation denies thousands of Harvard's students the right to come to this country to pursue their education and follow their dreams, and it denies Harvard the right to teach them. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard," the school said in the filing. Burroughs' order on Thursday also continued a separate temporary restraining order she issued on May 23 against the administration's restriction on international student enrolment at Harvard. Earlier on Thursday, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called Harvard "a hotbed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators," claims that the school has previously denied. "Harvard's behaviour has jeopardised the integrity of the entire US student and exchange visitor visa system and risks compromising national security. Now it must face the consequences of its actions," Jackson said in a statement. Trump cited national security concerns as justification for barring international students from entering the US to pursue studies at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university. Under Trump's proclamation, the suspension would initially be for six months but could be extended. Trump's order also directed the US State Department to consider revoking academic or exchange visas of any current Harvard students who meet his proclamation's criteria. In Thursday's court filing, Harvard said Trump had violated federal law by failing to back up his claims about national security. "The Proclamation does not deem the entry of an alien or class of aliens to be detrimental to the interests of the United States, because non-citizens who are impacted by the Proclamation can enter the United States — just so long as they go somewhere other than Harvard," the school said. The Trump administration has launched a multi-front attack on the nation's oldest and wealthiest university, freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding and proposing to end its tax-exempt status, prompting a series of legal challenges. Harvard argues the administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from barring US entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. Under a two-page temporary restraining order granted to Harvard, US District Judge Allison Burroughs on Thirsday enjoined Trump's proclamation from taking effect pending further litigation of the matter amid an escalating dispute between the Ivy League school and Republican president. The judge ruled Trump's directive prohibiting foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard for the next six months would cause "immediate and irreparable injury" before the courts have a chance to review the case. Burroughs in May had blocked Trump from implementing a separate order prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students, who make up more than a quarter of its student body. Harvard on Thursday amended its lawsuit to challenge the new directive, claiming Trump is violating Burroughs' decision. "The Proclamation denies thousands of Harvard's students the right to come to this country to pursue their education and follow their dreams, and it denies Harvard the right to teach them. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard," the school said in the filing. Burroughs' order on Thursday also continued a separate temporary restraining order she issued on May 23 against the administration's restriction on international student enrolment at Harvard. Earlier on Thursday, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called Harvard "a hotbed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators," claims that the school has previously denied. "Harvard's behaviour has jeopardised the integrity of the entire US student and exchange visitor visa system and risks compromising national security. Now it must face the consequences of its actions," Jackson said in a statement. Trump cited national security concerns as justification for barring international students from entering the US to pursue studies at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university. Under Trump's proclamation, the suspension would initially be for six months but could be extended. Trump's order also directed the US State Department to consider revoking academic or exchange visas of any current Harvard students who meet his proclamation's criteria. In Thursday's court filing, Harvard said Trump had violated federal law by failing to back up his claims about national security. "The Proclamation does not deem the entry of an alien or class of aliens to be detrimental to the interests of the United States, because non-citizens who are impacted by the Proclamation can enter the United States — just so long as they go somewhere other than Harvard," the school said. The Trump administration has launched a multi-front attack on the nation's oldest and wealthiest university, freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding and proposing to end its tax-exempt status, prompting a series of legal challenges. Harvard argues the administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from barring US entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. Under a two-page temporary restraining order granted to Harvard, US District Judge Allison Burroughs on Thirsday enjoined Trump's proclamation from taking effect pending further litigation of the matter amid an escalating dispute between the Ivy League school and Republican president. The judge ruled Trump's directive prohibiting foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard for the next six months would cause "immediate and irreparable injury" before the courts have a chance to review the case. Burroughs in May had blocked Trump from implementing a separate order prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students, who make up more than a quarter of its student body. Harvard on Thursday amended its lawsuit to challenge the new directive, claiming Trump is violating Burroughs' decision. "The Proclamation denies thousands of Harvard's students the right to come to this country to pursue their education and follow their dreams, and it denies Harvard the right to teach them. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard," the school said in the filing. Burroughs' order on Thursday also continued a separate temporary restraining order she issued on May 23 against the administration's restriction on international student enrolment at Harvard. Earlier on Thursday, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called Harvard "a hotbed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators," claims that the school has previously denied. "Harvard's behaviour has jeopardised the integrity of the entire US student and exchange visitor visa system and risks compromising national security. Now it must face the consequences of its actions," Jackson said in a statement. Trump cited national security concerns as justification for barring international students from entering the US to pursue studies at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university. Under Trump's proclamation, the suspension would initially be for six months but could be extended. Trump's order also directed the US State Department to consider revoking academic or exchange visas of any current Harvard students who meet his proclamation's criteria. In Thursday's court filing, Harvard said Trump had violated federal law by failing to back up his claims about national security. "The Proclamation does not deem the entry of an alien or class of aliens to be detrimental to the interests of the United States, because non-citizens who are impacted by the Proclamation can enter the United States — just so long as they go somewhere other than Harvard," the school said. The Trump administration has launched a multi-front attack on the nation's oldest and wealthiest university, freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding and proposing to end its tax-exempt status, prompting a series of legal challenges. Harvard argues the administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students. A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from barring US entry of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University. Under a two-page temporary restraining order granted to Harvard, US District Judge Allison Burroughs on Thirsday enjoined Trump's proclamation from taking effect pending further litigation of the matter amid an escalating dispute between the Ivy League school and Republican president. The judge ruled Trump's directive prohibiting foreign nationals from entering the United States to study at Harvard for the next six months would cause "immediate and irreparable injury" before the courts have a chance to review the case. Burroughs in May had blocked Trump from implementing a separate order prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students, who make up more than a quarter of its student body. Harvard on Thursday amended its lawsuit to challenge the new directive, claiming Trump is violating Burroughs' decision. "The Proclamation denies thousands of Harvard's students the right to come to this country to pursue their education and follow their dreams, and it denies Harvard the right to teach them. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard," the school said in the filing. Burroughs' order on Thursday also continued a separate temporary restraining order she issued on May 23 against the administration's restriction on international student enrolment at Harvard. Earlier on Thursday, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called Harvard "a hotbed of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators," claims that the school has previously denied. "Harvard's behaviour has jeopardised the integrity of the entire US student and exchange visitor visa system and risks compromising national security. Now it must face the consequences of its actions," Jackson said in a statement. Trump cited national security concerns as justification for barring international students from entering the US to pursue studies at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university. Under Trump's proclamation, the suspension would initially be for six months but could be extended. Trump's order also directed the US State Department to consider revoking academic or exchange visas of any current Harvard students who meet his proclamation's criteria. In Thursday's court filing, Harvard said Trump had violated federal law by failing to back up his claims about national security. "The Proclamation does not deem the entry of an alien or class of aliens to be detrimental to the interests of the United States, because non-citizens who are impacted by the Proclamation can enter the United States — just so long as they go somewhere other than Harvard," the school said. The Trump administration has launched a multi-front attack on the nation's oldest and wealthiest university, freezing billions of dollars in grants and other funding and proposing to end its tax-exempt status, prompting a series of legal challenges. Harvard argues the administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the ideology of its faculty and students.
AU Financial Review
29 minutes ago
- AU Financial Review
Big super says ‘big beautiful' Trump bill could cut $3.5b from returns
Major superannuation funds could see returns from their American investments fall by nearly $3.5 billion over four years under a punitive tax regime that would target countries that the Trump administration deemed to have discriminated against businesses in the United States. The so-called 'big beautiful bill' now at the centre of recriminations between US President Donald Trump and his one-time confidant Elon Musk contains provisions that would increase taxes on investors including the major retirement savings funds if passed unchanged.
The Age
44 minutes ago
- The Age
Tasmania cannot beat the $1b cost of an AFL stadium
Alternative universe In what world did Peter Dutton think it was a good idea to appoint Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston as administrators to run the NSW division of the Liberal Party (″ Ley slams reverse quota talk ″, 5/6)? Having these two gentlemen lead any aspect of reforming the Liberal Party to ensure its relevance in the 21st century seems to be a great example of why the ″back on track″ slogan and strategy was such a disaster in the 2025 election campaign. Alex Donaldson, Hawthorn East See merit in reform Age chief political commentator James Massola puts forward a convincing argument as to why Jim Chalmers should cede some negotiating ground with the opposition on the question of superannuation reform (Comment, 6/6). However, the arguments put forward by the opposition on behalf of a small number of rich Australians have insufficient substance to be accepted. Superannuation is designed to provide a comfortable living in retirement. It is not a tax haven for a family farm nor expensive artwork. Adding to this point, it is disingenuous to project forward the impact of these changes 30 years, when an estimated 1.2 million people will have more than $3 million in their super accounts. As with our tax scales, adjustments will occur as time passes. It should also be noted that, Paul Keating in achieving significant economic reforms, didn't negotiate with John Howard. Rather, the opposition saw the merit of the Hawke-Keating reforms and didn't oppose them. If the opposition wants to seen to be more relevant, its challenge is to negotiate with Chalmers, not the other way around, and certainly not by pursuing a public relations campaign on behalf of rich Australians who just don't like paying tax. James Young, Mount Eliza Parental responsibility I can see that principals might be concerned about the introduction of disciplining students for out-of-school misbehaviours. Perhaps one way of reducing the need might be to tell boys and their parents when they start the school that this might occur if they misbehave in any serious way. And then, if the government follows the American tendency to give parents of such children's activities some legal responsibility for the child's behaviour, the number of such incidents might, over time, decrease. Anthony Whitmarsh, Bulleen Different in government In 2020, the ALP opposition decried – rightly – the Morrison government's 'gas-led recovery'. Now very securely in government the ALP has continued very strong support for the gas industry. Supporting the science and our environment was easy in opposition; in government apparently less so. The Woodside North West Shelf extension (until 2070) is outrageous. The emissions released will totally negate any reductions from our welcome but too slow transition to renewables. Peter Moore, Clifton Hill Not capital idea While there is some justification in increasing the tax on superannuation balances over $3million, there is absolutely no justification to attempting to tax 'unrealised' capital gains. It is inherently unfair. Those smug people who think that this is a tax on the super rich, be aware. Be really aware. Once it is established in the tax system that a such a tax is applicable where will it end? Why not tax share portfolios, investment properties, farms and, dare I say it, the family home. All may have unrealised capital gains and the principle has been established. Be aware. Be really aware. Vince Vozzo, Elwood History lesson The article ″ Trump fears Harvard's excellence ″ (5/6) outlining the critical value of universities, should be read in tandem with Cardinal Newman's The Idea of a University, first published in 1852. Though canonised as a saint in 2019, much of the Part 1 titled ″University Teaching″ focuses on the universal, secular issues confronting universities today. Elizabeth Douglas, Melbourne Silent epidemic Thank you for drawing attention to anorexia as the deadliest mental health condition (″ Anorexia a deadly illness but treatment is lagging ″, 5/6). It is unbelievable that more Australians die from this than they do from the road toll, and yet nothing seems to be being done to improve those terrible statistics. One can't help wonder if the disease wasn't perceived as something that just affects teenage girls, whether we would have a cure by now, instead of relying on 50-year-old treatments. It really is a silent epidemic that no one seems to acknowledge or care about. Anne Clisby, Alphington End UN veto power The US has blocked a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza by exercising its veto power on the UN Security Council as a member of the permanent five big powers. If it's not the US doing this, then it's member Russia stopping effective UN support for Ukraine's struggle against its invader. The UN could be an effective force for world peace but it urgently needs reconstruction to become fully democratic, with the General Assembly the final decision maker and the veto power of the big five – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the US – rescinded. A large UN combat force is also required, not just to maintain peace after the blood is shed, like the current UN peacekeeping force, but one capable of rapid deployment to take the side of oppressed peoples like the Gazans and those heroically fighting imperialism like the Ukrainians. 'Peace through strength' based on collective security is why the UN was set up in 1945. Barry York, O'Connor, ACT How low can it go? Each day's news from Gaza leaves many of us wondering how the suffering could possibly worsen, yet it does. The recent deaths of 27 people waiting for food marks a horrifying new low. They were parents desperate to feed their children. What kind of war justifies the shooting of the starving? Beyond those points, Israel's leaders have stated their intent to destroy Gaza, and their conduct matches those words. If a state shows no willingness to limit its own violence, the world must act. Sanctions, an arms embargo, the deployment of peacekeepers, or even military intervention must be urgently considered. Waiting for a sudden outbreak of conscience is not a strategy. Zoe Kenny, St Kilda East No Israel is their plan Your correspondent (Letters, 6/6) says that the creation of a separate Palestinian state is the only solution to resolving Palestinian resentment at their plight. But he ignores the fact that this is precisely what they were offered not just in the 1947 UN Partition plan, but several times thereafter. That this has never been achieved has ultimately been because the leadership of one or more of Israel's neighbours until this day have only been prepared to accept a Palestinian state that was instead of, rather than alongside the Jewish state. Geoff Feren, St Kilda East Indefensible act Since when did starving innocent people to death become 'self-defence'? Jody Ellis, Thornbury Stakes are high No matter how much American beef hits these shores, I for one will never be persuaded to buy anything that comes from Trump's America (″ US beef on the table in Trump trade-off ″, 6/6). Dudley Chamberlain, Beaumaris English in express lane After reading student essays, a colleague remarked to me: 'I have to concede that English is changing, but not that fast.' James Goding, Princes Hill AND ANOTHER THING Politics Alan Stockdale's template for a Liberal Party preselection process: assertive women and non-assertive men to the left; short, assertive men with bushy eyebrows to the right. Bernd Rieve, Brighton There may be one dinosaur in the room (Letters, 6/6), but they are not extinct. There are still many circling the house, mouths gaping, roaring prehistoric ideas to the Liberal Party in what is a new world. Anne Carroll, Brighton East Alan Stockdale turns to the standard reply of those caught out by something they've said: 'It was just a joke.' Tim Durbridge, Brunswick I wish columnists like Shaun Carney (Comment, 5/6) would stop writing advice to the Liberal Party about how to recover support in the electorate. I'm very happy with their present position. Peter Hepburn, Claremont, Tas Trump/Musk Donald Trump and Elon Musk with their clashing outsized egos live in an echo chamber that must be cacophonous. Barrie Bales, Woorinen North The reality show between Donald Trump and Elon Musk ″Ugly and uglier' has finally gone to air after many previews. Take a seat and enjoy. Ruth Davis, Carrum Furthermore I withdrew $1000 from my account in the High St last week. There is no ATM. Later, I was staggered to find I was charged $2.50 for a ″staff-assisted service fee″. Have banks no shame? George Stockman, Berwick The AFL has made an overdue Tasmanian team dependent on building an expensive stadium. This has helped bring down the Tasmanian government. Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
