Roger Cook heads to China and Japan to strengthen ties with WA’s top trading partner

Premier Roger Cook will head to China later this month, as he seeks to strengthen ties with WA’s number one trading partner. Mr Cook will also head to Japan straight after the China visit — in a clear sign of just how important these countries are to the economic fortunes of WA. “As our number one trading partner, the importance of WA’s relationship with China cannot be overstated,” Mr Cook said. “China made up more than 50 percent of the State’s good exports in 2024-2025, driven largely by iron ore, and that translates to thousands of local jobs for Western Australians.” Mr Cook’s China announcement comes at a time when Australia’s uncomfortable relationship with the Superpower continues to come under the spotlight. So reliant on China for trade, the Albanese Government continues to tread a political tightrope in areas of national security - like China’s threat to Taiwan. Former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews decision this week to attend and be photographed at a military parade in China has attracted widespread condemnation - highlighting just how tricky Australia’s relationship with China is. China is WA’s number one trading partner, mainly driven by China’s demand for iron ore. Iron ore made up 83.8 percent of all commodities traded between Western Australia and China in 2024-25, with a total value close to $100 billion. While in Shanghai, the Premier will attend several high-level business and government meetings. Mr Cook will deliver the opening address at a meeting with business leaders where he will talk up the State’s commitment to clean energy — driven by renewables. He will travel to Zhejiang Province, where he will open the Western Australia-Zhejiang 10th Exchange Committee Meeting and re-affirm the State’s commitment to the sister-state relationship. Mr Cook will also meet the Governor and open a WA Invest and Trade office. Following a three-day visit to China, the Premier will attend the World Expo in Osaka, Japan – WA’s second largest trading partner - where he will spruik the State’s capabilities in the fields of energy, technology and innovation. Japan remains Western Australia’s earliest and largest LNG customer, accounting for 19.5 million tons in 2024 from a total of 51 million tons of LNG exported in 2024. “This mission is a great opportunity to highlight the trade ties we share with China and Japan and promote WA as a great place to invest and do business,” Mr Cook said. “It will become even more important as both Australia and our near neighbours undertake our energy transitions. For my government, that means looking for growth opportunities for WA’s battery and critical minerals industry to help China secure a stable supply of minerals, including for clean energy manufacturers. “In Japan, I’ll travel to Tokyo and Osaka for the World Expo, where I’ll promote Western Australia’s capacity and capability, especially in the fields of energy, technology and innovation. “World Expo Osaka offers a powerful platform to highlight Western Australia’s to attract investment and strengthen trade and tourism ties with Japan.” Mr Cook leaves for China on September 21.