The line graph illustrates the changes in the percentage of Australian exports to four key countries – Japan, US, China, and India – over the period from 1990 to 2012.
Overall, there were fluctuations in the percentage of Australian exports to the selected countries over the specified time frame, with China experiencing a significant rise, while Japan and the US showed a varying trend, and India maintained a relatively low percentage throughout the period.
At the commencement of the period in 1990, Japan accounted for the largest share of Australian exports among the four countries, standing slightly above 25%. However, there was a gradual decline in the percentage over the years, reaching just above 15% by 2012. In contrast, the US started at a lower percentage, slightly above 10%, and experienced a dip to just under 5% around 2005 before a slight recovery to above 5% in 2012.
China, on the other hand, had a modest share of Australian exports in 1990, below 5%. Nevertheless, from 2003 onwards, there was a remarkable surge in the percentage, surpassing 25% by the end of the period in 2012. In stark contrast, India began with a negligible percentage in 1990, maintained a stagnant trend throughout the years, and showed marginal growth to just under 5% by 2012, indicating a relatively minor contribution to Australian exports.