WASHINGTON/SYDNEY -- China looks to be upping economic pressure on Australia and New Zealand in hopes of pulling them away from the U.S. campaign to freeze Huawei Technologies out of high-speed 5G networks across the world, leaving the neighboring countries on the hot seat between their security ally and biggest trade partner.
News broke Thursday that Australian coal is facing difficulty entering China at the country's northeastern ports such as Dalian. Both sides have since downplayed the situation: Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said "we shouldn't jump to conclusions," while the Chinese foreign ministry said Friday that the imports were only facing tougher environmental and safety checks.
