Australia must use its only ‘weapon’ against China in trade war

Australia has one tool in its arsenal which can hurt China just as much as it can hurt us and it would send a “very clear message” if it was used.

The Herald Sun’s business columnist Terry McCrann said Australia’s iron ore exports are a “weapon” which can be used against Beijing because there is no alternative to our product.

It comes as China has seemingly officially blacklisted Australian thermal coal by allowing its largest power producers to import coal with no restrictions from across the globe except from Australia.

China has also given a dressing down to Australian iron ore producers amid record high prices, but Mr McCrann said the government should use Beijing’s reliance on Australian iron ore as a tool.

“There’s no way that China’s going to play this game with iron ore; I would argue we should be playing this game with iron ore,” he said.

“We should be making it very clear to China that we can hurt them just as much as they can hurt us, and it would send a very clear message to them that we can mess with you just the way you’ve been messing with us.”

[jasa]

I remember when Australia had the largest steel works in the southern hemisphere and produced the best steel in the world... which people bought. Now we send our ore to china and get crap steel back. Everybody gets crap steel.

Imagine if Australia started making steel again...

[jemimahobbs]

Aus shut down their steel mills. Stop being so bloody lazy and start making and selling steel which is more lucrative.

[belindavandenberg]

Let's start manufacturing again. We have a few million needing jobs

[garyhankinson]

Who remembers when australia sold pig iron to Japan in the 1930s and they built warships with it to attack familiar?

[dustymiller]

Just remember, they've already been calling Australia "gum on their shoe" and a "barking dog." What are they going to call us if we give in?

[nigelpar]

Just stop shipping them iron ore. And never trust China again. No matter what nice sounding trade agreements they sign with us.

[originalblace]

Let’s just start making and exporting our own steel again.

Plenty of people who need jobs who could get one at a new Aussie steel mill.

[kevinklei]

We are constantly told "THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT" so if they don't want the product accept move on and find another customer . We are acting like a kid selling his stuff at a garage sale.

[Ken-ruet]

Return to full on steel production in Australia then export the end product..

[orthofox]

Australia is going to the WTO 😱 your Wasting your time

[CaptainBax]

Stop selling iron ore to them, they'll only make weapons of war out of it.

[doctorjeff]

Thank you Terry. The only other person I have heard with my belief that we should be using iron ore to our benefit. Stop our exports until they come to the party on the other exports. Will hurt us in the short term but better than being bled to death slowly.

[tovsteh]

*Meanwhile, the rest of Australian mainstream media:* "You, the pleb public don't get to comment and voice your opinion. You just get to consume what we tell you"

[gotrybrandnewtube]

We sell them rock & they sell us Steel!! Bout bloody time we got back to making the best Steel in the world & not sell it to them

[pjd]

Canada's coal exports to China have increased, thanks to Australia.

[maxsweetman]

For 2 year now Morrison has been poking the dragon at trumps bidding now the dragon is breathing flames, Morrison is way out of his depth does not have a clue what to do and Australia will suffer for it

[kenjile]

This christmas i stop buying any stuff that made in china, i bought a case of Australia wine as gift instead. 🥰

[DragonHawk]

Cut them off become self-sufficient at any cost I’m pretty sure the 15 or so millionaire farmers will be okay and there’s plenty more jobs that will be created by becoming self-sufficient

[AD-xihy]

Don't worry Australia...Pitcairn Island has got your back on the whole China thing...fuck yeah!!!!

[tclinn]

two bald guys sitting on the left and right makes it kinda symmetric