Dutton Signals Stronger China Stance, Says He Can Work with Trump Administration

The opposition leader also argued he would better manage Australia’s relationship with the US.

The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army-Navy Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu in the Solomon Sea. Courtesy of the Australian Defence of Department

With the federal election looming, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has criticised the Albanese government for repeatedly failing to call out the military aggression of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Australians in uniform.

“Silence in the face of such unacceptable aggression saw the Albanese government put their domestic political interests ahead of the national interest,” Dutton said in an address to the Lowy Institute on March 20.

“Self-censorship is a price no self-respecting country should ever pay—especially a democracy like ours. Australia must be willing to criticise any nation whose behaviour imperils stability in the region.”

Dutton also said he believes that if there is a change of government, he will be able to work with the Trump administration to get better outcomes for Australians.

Military Aggression

Dutton’s comments come after the Chinese Navy conducted a short-notice live-firing exercise in the waters between Australia and New Zealand on Feb. 21.

Beijing advised Australia of the drill through a radio broadcast on a civilian channel, and a Virgin Airlines pilot relayed the warnings to aviation officials.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the short notice of the notification caused disconcertion for planes in the air, causing several airlines to alter flight paths.

“This unacceptable incident is a failure of diplomacy and defence at the highest levels,” Dutton said.

Dutton said the CCP is asserting itself militarily in Australia—often in aggressive ways that have endangered Australian men and women in uniform.

He said diplomacy, defence, and national security issues will weigh heavily on the minds of Australians.

“Australians know we face a far more uncertain and dangerous world today than at any time in recent memory,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton during a Liberal Party campaign rally in the seat of Chisholm, Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 12, 2025. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Dutton also said a Coalition government would not tolerate foreign interference that targets Australians of Chinese ancestry—or any Australian.

“A government I lead will jealously guard the rights and freedoms of Australians like Kevin Yam and Ted Hui,” he said.

Australian citizen Kevin Yam and Australian resident Ted Hui are democracy activists from Hong Kong who are wanted by Hong Kong authorities for allegedly breaching national security-related offences.

Dutton said Australia has a remarkable Chinese diaspora who have made Australia their home, embraced national values, and contributed in many fields of endeavour.

According to the 2021 census, Chinese ancestry is the fifth most common in Australia at 5.5 percent.

“Many Australians of Chinese ancestry maintain connections to family in China. And so, a healthy bilateral partnership is in China and Australia’s mutual interests,” Dutton said.

Negotiating US Tariffs

Dutton also highlighted his experience working with U.S. governments, arguing he would be the better choice of leader for the Australia-U.S. relationship.

“I have worked successfully with the Obama Administration, the Trump Administration Mark I, and the Biden Administration,” he said.

“The clearest example of my ability to work with foreign leaders of any political persuasion is negotiating the AUKUS defence partnership.”

He criticised the Albanese government for its failure to secure an exemption to the Trump administration’s steel and aluminium tariffs.

“Australia is paying the price for Labor’s ill-disciplined and disparaging remarks about President Trump,” he said.

“I will seek to meet President Trump in Washington in the early days of a Dutton Coalition Government. I will talk to him about how our national interests are mutual interests.”

In a Today Show interview, Foreign Minister Penny Wong explained that the Trump administration is withholding an exemption because they believe the granting of tariff exemptions in their first term was a mistake.