Australians are more anxious about protectionist trade measures contemplated by the Trump administration than about China’s expanding military footprint, according to the latest Newspoll published in The Australian. The nationwide survey of voters held 11–14 August found 42% naming U.S. tariffs as their chief worry, compared with 37% who cited Beijing’s strategic assertiveness; 21% said neither issue troubled them. The poll sampled roughly 1,200 respondents and carries a margin of error of three percentage points. The findings coincide with a political lift for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Labor extended its two-party-preferred lead to 56–44 over the conservative Coalition, its strongest showing in two years, while Albanese’s net approval rating moved into positive territory for the first time since September 2023. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley saw a decline in personal support, underscoring the Coalition’s struggle to regain momentum. Australia’s focus on trade risks follows Washington’s sweeping tariff regime, under which Canberra faces a base 10% duty on exports and potential sector-specific levies. Although Australia has sought carve-outs, its export-oriented economy remains vulnerable to any broader slowdown in global commerce. Last month Albanese used a six-day trip to Beijing, including meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, to reinforce commercial ties while largely sidestepping sharper security issues in the region.