The line graph illustrates the percentage of Australian exports to four countries from 1996 to 2001.
Overall, there were contrasting trends among the four countries. While China and India experienced an upward trajectory in their share of Australian exports, Japan and the United States witnessed a decline. China’s growth was particularly notable, as it overtook both the US and Japan by the end of the period.
Japan initially dominated Australian exports, accounting for 26% in 1996. However, this figure fell sharply to 20% in 1997 and continued to decline gradually, reaching 17% by 2001. The United States exhibited fluctuations in its export share, starting at 11% in 1996, dropping to 8% in 1997, then rising back to 11% in 1998. Subsequently, it experienced a significant decrease to 5% in 2000, before slightly recovering to 7% in 2001.
China’s share of Australian exports saw a remarkable increase over the period. Starting at a mere 2% in 1996, it rose steadily to 5% by 1998, then surged dramatically to 25% in 2000 and further to 28% in 2001, surpassing both Japan and the US. India, while starting from the lowest position at 1% in 1996, also showed growth. Its share remained stable until 1998, then increased to 5% in 1999 and peaked at 7% in 2000, before slightly declining to 5% in the final year.