Can Australia Embrace Trump-Like Policies? By James Reed

The article titled "Sell Australia to Trump," published on February 24, 2025, on Macrobusiness.com.au, presents a provocative take on Australia's potential alignment with Donald Trump's policies. Written by an unnamed author (though Macrobusiness is often associated with David Llewellyn-Smith, its Chief Strategist), it critiques what it perceives as a disconnect between Australian public sentiment and Trump's political agenda, while subtly suggesting that some of Trump's ideas might resonate more with Australians than mainstream narratives admit.

The piece begins by referencing a claim from "Domain" that Australians wouldn't back Trump-style policies. It challenges this by pointing to four key Trump platforms that secured his U.S. election win: slashing immigration to protect wages, imposing tariffs to boost local industry, disengaging from China, and prioritising "America First." The author implies these could have parallels in Australia, questioning how we can be sure Australians wouldn't support them without deeper scrutiny.

Rather than a literal call to "sell" Australia, the title seems satirical, poking at the idea of Australia hitching its wagon to Trump's vision as a way out of its economic and strategic dilemmas. It doesn't delve into detailed policy analysis or data but instead uses a rhetorical style to prod readers into reconsidering their assumptions. The tone is casual yet biting, typical of Microbusiness's commentary, which often blends economic critique with a sceptical eye on establishment views.

The article's brevity—it's more a teaser than a treatise—leaves much unsaid. It doesn't explore how these Trump policies would practically apply to Australia's context, like its resource-driven economy or its alliance with the U.S. via AUKUS. Still, it plants a seed: maybe Australia's interests aren't as misaligned with Trumpism as its media or political class suggest?

In the broader context of Macrobusiness's output, this fits their pattern of wrestling with Australia's place in a shifting global order—especially with Trump back in power. It's less a policy proposal and more a jab at complacency, urging readers to question the narrative that Aussies would universally reject Trump's playbook. Whether that's a serious suggestion or just a thought experiment, is left hanging for the audience to chew on.

Personally, if Australia has two choices due to present apathy, of falling into communist China, or becoming a part of a revitalised America, I think the choice is obvious.

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2025/02/sell-australia-to-trump/