China is trying to flex it's muscles against Australia

@Bushranger One of the things that's stood out to me is that the trade agreement with China seemed to be very much one way, as in China's interest far more than ours. Like even with investments, China can invest in property, even buying our ports but there's little Australians can purchase in China. Hopefully this all makes things a little less one sided.

@SW-User Australia has always been a price taker in world trade. We were never really big enough to set prices. Without a big domestic market, manufacturing industries can't get big enough to be sustainable either locally or internationally. But, and it's a pretty big but, we should still be able to value add some of our products. Metallurgic coal is one example; coke being lighter than coal should be cheaper to transport and also have a higher value to the end user. Research into alternatives, such as hydrogen for both transport and steel making should be a priority (hydrogen isn't the only option, but the first one that comes to mind). We have huge swathes of land that can be used to produce electricity to make hydrogen which can then be exported as well as used locally. Yes, it's currently not cost effective, however, with increased use prices should come down.

There's lots of additional options that would help our country as well as providing viable export opportunities. But we need a leadership that is willing to consider those options, not be fixed on a coal/natural gas economy.

@Bushranger Good points you make and i really like the idea of us producing hydrogen from solar. That really makes sense to me.

@wintersecret I hope they (India) snaffle all of chinas bizz. And become the manufacturing hub.. 🕺🏻👍

@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout yeap India is trying the same.

@DeWayfarer Capitalism at it's finest 😔

@RightSaidFred Gusman's topics ensure civil conversation.
Under threat from Gusman that should anyone show the slightest inclination to opposing Gusman's position, then Gusman would thump them so hard, they would end up in the middle of next week.
Thus, civil conversation assured. No one want's to rile Gusman, who's offsider is that Tornado of Destruction, Taz.

@helenS If Countries took a Multilateral stand against China then they may be able to make a difference.
Though I suspect there are too many "Poorer" Countries that want China's Money.
Even our own Victorian Government has signed up to the Belt and Road Initiative. Treasonous, in my book.

@Gusman [quote]Treasonous, in my book. [/quote]
Agree with you.
And I'm afraid some European politicians may say "Ah great Australia is out so we are in." 😐

@revenant soon the US with Biden

@Stargazer89 Beijing Biden,,,unfortunately