Overview
- Penny Wong, who left Monday, is on a week‑long tour of Japan, China and South Korea to shore up trade ties and secure refined fuels.
- In Tokyo she met Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and said the Strait of Hormuz shutdown has hit Asian refineries hardest, so Australia will work with Japan to keep fuel flowing.
- Talks in Beijing will be part of the Australia–China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Wang Yi, which Canberra frames as coordination rather than set supply deals.
- The trip will conclude in Seoul with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, with South Korea underscored as a major source of Australia’s diesel, petrol and jet fuel.
- At home the government has opened emergency finance and can direct imports to help fuel companies lock in spot shipments and keep petrol and diesel available.