What's going to happen if there's a war with China? If Australia does take even a moral stand, all those shelves in Bunnings are going to empty overnight. You can then multiply that by a bunch of other stores reliant on China for products. How does Australia function without these daily-life essential goods?

Exactly, and it's no mistake that the west is in this position. China has played it's cards very well. But I think this goes even further. China is applying this model of economic entrapment on Taiwan directly, so that any attempt at independence would result in economic suicide. The real litmus test will be how younger generations react to China's carrot of jobs for Taiwanese college grads, preferential treatment for same with regards to visas, taxes, etc. The same goes for China's carrots and sticks that Taiwan farmers have to navigate.

The bottom line is that China has the money, and nobody wants to mess with that. They just want some of it.