Trump’s Tariff Playbook Could Save Aussie Industry from China: Lawyer

‘You will never be able to produce a manufacturing industry of any consequence, as long as you have a [free] trade agreement with China,’ said Dan Ryan.

Employees work on a production line of drones intended for export at a factory in Ruichang, Jiangxi Province, China, on Nov. 27, 2024. STR/AFP via Getty Images

A commercial lawyer with 15 years’ experience in Hong Kong and China says it’s time for Australia to cancel its free trade agreement with China, and take a leaf out of the Trump playbook to tariff on Chinese goods to revive local manufacturing.

Dan Ryan, a Mandarin-speaking former board member of the Australia-China Council, says attempts to “liberalise” China have not succeeded, and that going forward, Australia could learn from the Trump administration’s approach to protecting U.S. domestic industries.