What national conservatism and Trump’s America mean for Australia’s relationship with China

The Biden administration (2021-2025) was generally regarded within Australia’s national security and foreign policy communities as a familiar and reliable partner, with long-standing institutional and personal connections. However, in the most recent US election, American voters once again chose Donald Trump. A new movement, ‘national conservatism’ is increasingly recognised as the governing ideology of the Trump administration. While much of Australia’s strategic affairs commentariat continues to take its cues from the liberal internationalists of Washington, this orientation risks overlooking the structural changes now reshaping US politics. 

What does national conservatism mean? To what extent will it remain a defining feature of US politics beyond the Trump presidency? How might administrations informed by its principles approach China policy? What expectations might they place on allies such as Australia? And could similar ideas begin to influence Australia’s own political and strategic debates about China?

The Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI) will host a webinar featuring Dan Ryan, Executive Director, National Conservative Institute of Australia, to discuss these questions and more. 

About the speaker

Dan Ryan

Dan Ryan is the Executive Director of the National Conservative Institute of Australia. He is a commercial and technology lawyer with over 20 years of high-level advisory and transactional experience. He has worked as general counsel for technology companies based across the globe and has particular expertise in China and tech in the Asian region. He speaks Mandarin and is a former board member of the Australia-China Council.

About the moderator

Professor James Laurenceson 

Professor James Laurenceson is Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI). His research interests relate to the Chinese economy and the Australia-China economic and broader relationship.