TONY Abbott has signalled that talks for a landmark free trade agreement with China - launched more than five years ago by John Howard - will be put on the backburner if the Coalition wins the next election.

The Opposition Leader has indicated that Japan would be a higher priority than China, because Japan is a pluralist democracy and a ''vastly more'' market-based economy than its near neighbour.

Tony Abbott says the Coalition would adjust current rules that aim to stop underpriced imports being dumped on the Australian market. Credit:Anita Jones

Mr Howard launched the ambitious trade pact negotiations with Beijing during his last term as prime minister in 2005. The pact has been pursued by his successors Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, but the talks have dragged and become bogged down.

Mr Abbott said yesterday he supported ''sensibly negotiated'' free trade agreements, including one with China if it was in Australia's interests.