SYDNEY: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (pic) is due to hold a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong as he wraps up a multi-national trip to the Pacific and South-East Asia on Thursday (Feb 5).
Before that, Wadephul is scheduled to hold talks with representatives of the business community, as well as with Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres and Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell.
He was also in Canberra on Wednesday.
Discussions are expected to focus on US President Donald Trump's protectionist trade and tariff policies.
Australia is seeking to strike a balance between China and the United States. China is Australia's most important trading partner, and the country benefits from the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which has been in force since 2015.
Germany is Australia's second most important trading partner in Europe, while Australia supplies raw materials and agricultural products.
After departing Canberra, Wadephul heads to Brunei. The small sultanate on the island of Borneo is known for its large oil and gas reserves and is considered one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
It is an absolute monarchy with strict Islamic law, with more than 80 per cent of its population of nearly 470,000 people identifying as Muslim.
Germany and Brunei established official diplomatic relations in 1984, shortly after Brunei gained independence. Relations are considered friendly and stable, with cooperation focussed mainly on trade and economic ties. - dpa
