Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has warned that Australia will be at the mercy of Chinese influence in the coming years if the geo-political landscape is not addressed.
Bannon, who was a key advisor to Donald Trump, gave his first interview with the Australian media after he sat down with Sydney Morning Herald.
During the interview, Mr Bannon said Australia held a crucial role in maintaining stability in South East Asia.
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon (pictured) has warned that Australia will be at the mercy of Chinese influence in the coming years if the geo-political landscape is not addressed
‘If we continue on this path we’re down, China will control all of the countries of South East Asia and they will control Australia,’ he said.
Mr Bannon said Australia was like the San Andreas fault between China and the West, a crucial link between the two systems which have built up separately for the better part of 2000 years.
He likened Australia’s current global position as that of ancient Athens, as a conduit between the East and the West.
‘I’ve said it many times, though I’ve never said it publicly, Australia and Italy are the centre of the two major political developments where the whole issue of the future of the nation state will be decided,’ he said.
His comments come in the wake of President Trump’s trade tariffs on Chinese exports which Mr Bannon likened to ‘starting a war’ and the day President Trump ‘stood up for America’
Mr Bannon said he believes Australia is in the midst of a fight for the ‘ages’ where it will need to retain its sovereignty against Chinese expansion.
His comments come in the wake of President Trump’s trade tariffs on Chinese exports which Mr Bannon likened to ‘starting a war’ and the day President Trump ‘stood up for America’.
The tariffs see a 25 per cent import tax leveled at a long list of Chinese products including airplane parts and farm ploughs.
Mr Bannon also said the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea would only escalate and quickly become the ‘front line’ of ‘an intense global crisis’
China’s increased partnership with Australia was also a factor in Mr Bannon speaking out in the Australian media sphere, claiming that was a contributing factor to the U.S acting to ‘defend itself’ with trade tariffs.
‘It’s not about tariffs and math, it’s about bringing manufacturing jobs back from China, it’s about the dignity of workers, self-worth and community,’ he said.
Mr Bannon also said the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea would only escalate and quickly become the ‘front line’ of ‘an intense global crisis’.