NEWS
WINE COULD BE NEXT AS BEIJING LIFTS PUNITIVE TARIFFS ON AUSSIE BARLEY
By Susan Lewis
7-8-2023
Source: Senator for SA/Facebook
China's hefty tariffs on Australian wine imports could be the next to go after Beijing lifted punitive tariffs on Australian barley last Friday.
Australia said it will drop its complaint against China on barley exports at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
"We welcome this outcome, which paves the way for our barley exporters to re-enter the Chinese market, benefiting Australian producers and Chinese consumers," Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said in a statement.
Wong is now urging Beijing to drop trade barriers hindering the export of Australian wine, which is the subject of a separate WTO complaint.
“We have been clear that we expect a similar process to be followed to remove the duties on Australian wine,” Wong said.
She acknowledged and thanked industry and affected businesses for their support and patience throughout the WTO process.
In April this year, Australia announced a pathway agreed with China to temporarily suspend its WTO complaint against China on barley exports, while China conducted review on the punitive tariffs on barley, and the removal of these duties means Australia will now discontinue legal proceedings at the WTO.
“The Australian government’s approach has been to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest,” Wong said.
Wong added that her government will continue to press for all trade impediments affecting Australian exports to be removed.
China imposed tariffs on key Australian exports such as barley, beef and wine in 2020, at the height of a bitter dispute with Australia's former conservative government.
Australia retaliated by filing complaints with the WTO, that were temporarily suspended earlier this year as the countries' trade ministers stepped up negotiations.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
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