[Gatsky]

Is that you, Clive?

This doesn’t seem very plausible to me. You are proposing that there could have been an alternate universe where, for example, instead of sending iron ire to China for steel production, Australia could have become the steel producer. This has many assumptions - firstly, that China would buy Australian steel as opposed to finding another ore producer and doing what they do now anyway. You also assume that this would be a good business in Australia. Quite possibly, the economics don’t play out due to energy/labour costs.

[EdwardDiego]

You're far more correct in that China would far rather buy the iron ore and coal from Australia and make steel in China.

Why? Social stability, and the security of the party. Even if it's less efficient to import the ore and coal, the steelworks keeps people employed, particularly young men who might otherwise grow restive.

[mrkeen]

I don't get it. Are you disagreeing with the parent comment, or taking it as a forgone conclusion with no plausible alternative?

[Gatsky]

Disagreeing.