Navigating Global Uncertainty: How Australian Chambers Are Steering Exporters Toward New Markets
The Diversification Imperative
Australian exporters are no longer putting all their eggs in one basket. ACCI’s 2025 National Trade Survey revealed that 53 per cent of exporters secured sales in new markets during 2025—a 13 per cent increase on the previous year. Nearly two-thirds of trading businesses are actively exploring additional markets, with India, Vietnam, and Indonesia emerging as top destinations.
This shift is not merely opportunistic. It reflects a strategic recalibration in response to persistent global trade uncertainty, including evolving tariff regimes and geopolitical realignments. ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar has described diversification as “the key word” for Australian business, noting that companies are increasingly looking toward India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East to reduce risk and build long-term competitiveness.
The Chamber’s Role as a Trade Facilitator
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry operates as more than a lobbying body—it functions as a practical navigator for exporters. In partnership with Austrade, ACCI delivers the Trade Reform Strategy (TRS) Roadshow, a series of workshops across Australian capital cities focused on helping exporters navigate global trade, freight, and supply chain disruption. ACCI also serves as the 2026 Judging Sponsor for the Australian Export Awards, reinforcing its commitment to celebrating and supporting export excellence.
Free Trade Agreements: The EU Opportunity
A significant development in 2026 has been the conclusion of negotiations for the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement. ACCI has welcomed the agreement, which has the potential to deepen Australia’s relationship with a market of 450 million people and an economy worth $31 trillion**. The Australian Government estimates the deal will deliver **$10 billion in extra trade in the first year alone.
However, ACCI has emphasized that the agreement must deliver commercially meaningful benefits. “Australian traders want a commercially meaningful agreement that addresses past roadblocks and sets up this critical relationship for decades to come,” McKellar stated. The chamber is now urging businesses to publicly back the ratification process, with Trade Minister Don Farrell warning that parliamentary support is not guaranteed.
Beyond Europe: The China Relationship and Emerging Markets
The chamber’s trade agenda also encompasses the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) review. The Australia China Business Council (ACBC), closely aligned with ACCI’s network, has filed substantive submissions to DFAT as part of the General Review, ensuring that business experience and priorities are reflected in the process.
For Australian exporters, the chamber network provides a crucial bridge between policy advocacy and practical support. By convening high-level briefings, facilitating market access, and advocating for tariff reduction, the ACCI and its affiliated chambers are transforming trade uncertainty into strategic opportunity.
