China is using trade as a weapon, warns former Australian PM Tony Abbott

London/Canberra/Beijing: – Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned that China uses trade as a strategic weapon. ‘China is a strategically important competitor and more dangerous than the Soviet Union.’ Abbott said. The United Kingdom has appointed Abbott as its special trade adviser; he has advised the United Kingdom and its allies to be wary of China on trade issues.

Tony Abbott was the Prime Minister of Australia for two years, from 2013 to 2015. During the same period, trade agreements were signed between Australia and China. It was later revealed that China was using the trade deal to tighten its grip on Australia. China is currently using the same trade influence to intimidate and pressurise Australia. Against this backdrop, the warning given by former Prime Minister Abbott is noteworthy.

Abbott warned ‘China is using trade as a strategic weapon like turning the water tap, on and off. Refusal to support Chinese geopolitical interests has sparked a trade war against Australia. Under this trade war, Australia’s punishment is being handed out by imposing taxes on Australian products.’ He also noted that China was aggressively seeking to increase its influence as a part of a new Cold War. Abbott said that he would not have considered a trade deal with China if he were the Australian leader today.

Speaking at a think tank event in the United Kingdom, Abbott warned the United Kingdom and its allies to be wary of Chinese trade dealings. He warned that the United Kingdom and its allies should not sell advanced technology to China. A Chinese company has bought a computer chip firm in the United Kingdom. Abbott claimed that this would not have happened in Australia. The former Australian prime minister also advised that the United Kingdom and Australia should work together to build an alternative’ supply chain’.

British Trade Minister Liz Truss was also present at the British think tank event. She also endorsed Abbott’s statement, saying Britain and its allies should challenge Chinese trade actions. Over the past few years, China’s relations with both the United Kingdom and Australia have festered. Many issues like 5G technology, Coronavirus pandemic, South China Sea, Taiwan, Hongkong have created tension between China and the two countries. Against this backdrop, former Australian Prime Minister Abbott’s appointment as an adviser to the United Kingdom and the warning issued by him become noteworthy.