China fails to learn from Trump backfire in trade war, is losing against Australia Coal-loading terminal at Hay Point in Mackay Region, Queensland. Image courtesy of BHP Group. (The opinions expressed here are those of the author, Clyde Russell, a columnist for Reuters) China is paying a heavy toll for its efforts to punish Australia by banning or restricting certain commodity imports, while conversely, Australia seems to have avoided any serious financial ramifications so far. Sign Up for the Energy Digest Sign Up It is perhaps surprising that the authorities in Beijing, having witnessed how the trade war launched by former US President Donald Trump backfired on his own country, would be keen to try the same thing on Australia.