Optimistically this could offer a potential for local production...

Optimistically this could offer a potential for local production opportunities.

Realistically, why would you bother? Australian population represents 7% of US, and 5% of EU market, cost/benefit just isn't there.

I am assuming that local supply (both in and out) would be better than shipping from Australia which is obviously not always the case as 10% of our economy relies on resources and agricultural export.

Looking at our economics history, we have worked pretty hard to get out of manufacturing sector and into the tertiary sector. I don't see why the the gov would go back, crisis like Coronavirus would surely offer more opportunity in the tertiary sector than in the resources sector, though the EV movement offers some serious opportunity in this sector.

I would be interested to find out what battery producers sentiment toward China is, given they produce over 70% of the worlds Graphite.

If they follow the suggestions forming in the US government to hold at least a portion of supply lines in other countries it could propose an opportunity for Australia.

If not, I feel like we should all start learning to speak Mandarin.