The given line graph illustrates the percentage of Australian exports to four countries: Japan, United States, China, and India over the period from 1990 to 2012.
Overall, while the proportion of exports to Japan and the US experienced a decline during the period, exports to China and India showed a significant upward trend. Notably, China became Australia’s largest export destination by the end of the period.
In 1990, Japan was the leading destination for Australian exports, accounting for around 27%. However, this figure showed a steady decline over the years, dropping to approximately 18% by 2012. Similarly, exports to the US fluctuated slightly, starting at about 10%, peaking around 11% in the early 2000s, but eventually decreasing to around 7% in 2012.
In contrast, exports to China experienced remarkable growth. Starting from just around 2% in 1990, the percentage rose sharply after 2000, surpassing Japan around 2009, and reaching nearly 28% by 2012. Exports to India also increased, though at a more moderate rate. From less than 1% in 1990, the percentage grew steadily, peaking at around 7% by 2010 before slightly declining towards 2012.
In conclusion, Australian export patterns shifted significantly between 1990 and 2012, with China emerging as the dominant trade partner, while traditional markets like Japan and the US saw a decline in export shares.