Taiwan, Australia could be closer, Taiwan envoy saysStaff writer, with CNAAs Australia looks to recalibrate its economic relationship with China, Taipei is hoping to strengthen ties and partner with Canberra in areas such as critical minerals and drones, Representative to Australia Douglas Hsu (徐佑典) said. Hsu said he has been trying to convince Australia to engage Taiwan “on its own merit,” rather than treating it as a subordinate issue in its relationship with China. Hsu said many countries across the world, including Taiwan, have learned the importance of breaking China’s near-complete hold on critical minerals. Australia has significant reserves of many key critical minerals and Taiwan looks forward to closer bilateral cooperation in this area, he said. Although Taiwan lacks deep expertise in the mining industry, he said that a critical minerals pact signed by the US and Australia late last year provides a potential framework to follow.

Source: Taipei Times February 26, 2026 17:15 UTC