Donald Trump is regularly blamed internationally for his willingness to start a dangerous and damaging trade war with China. But what might have seemed a political sideshow for his domestic supporter base during Trump's 2016 election campaign has become the strong consensus position in the US – whether in politics, in business, in academic circles or the broader community.

That makes for a big difference with the prevailing attitude in Australia, particularly in a business community alarmed about the economic fallout from any difficulties in the diplomatic relationship with China.