S. And hence disturb Australia's trade relations with China which could prove detrimental to its economy. Australia has to find a happy medium so that it would be viewed as a hostile neighbor in its own region: "while Kevin Rudd is not an alliance critic in the mold of Mark Latham he will take great care for his country not to be viewed by its Asian neighbors or extra-regional powers as a geopolitical sycophant or deputy sheriff for American agendas within or beyond the Asia-Pacific region. In some instances, a more independent Australian posture will be easier to establish and maintain… in other cases, it will be harder as Australia continues to struggle with the question as to whether it is increasingly a part of Asia." (Tow, p. 8) It is difficult for Australia to choose its alliances and maintain cordial relations with both the Asian countries as well as the U.S. This is because while it shares historical links with its Anglo-Saxon...

This is a unique situation that Australia needs to address properly in order to establish and maintain harmony with its neighbors as well as the U.S.
References

William Tow, Still an Excellent Relationship: Australian-American relations in testing times, Feb 2006

Bruce Vaughn. (2008) Australia: Background and U.S. Relations. Specialist in Asian Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade.

Commonwealth Government of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in the National Interest, Chapter 4 section 137, Canberra 1997.

4 Commonwealth Government of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Advancing the National Interest, Overview p. xvi, Canberra 2003.

U.S. State Department, "Rice with Aust. Foreign Minister Smith," July 25, 2008