[ad_1]
Australia will file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to challenge China’s imposition of tariffs on its barley exports.
Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham (Simon Birmingham) said he will formally submit this complaint to the WTO later on Wednesday (December 16), requesting a review of China’s decision.
This is Australia’s first counterattack against China’s series of trade sanctions this year.
Since the outbreak of the political conflict between the two countries, the Beijing authorities have imposed punitive measures such as the imposition of tariffs on milk, beef, wine and other Australian products.
This series of sanctions has led to tensions between Australia and its largest trading partner, China. Australia’s exports to China account for 40% of its total exports, and its grain exports to China account for 70% of Australia’s total grain exports.
Earlier this week, Chinese state media stated that China would also impose restrictions on fuel coal, Australia’s third-largest export product to China.
The Chinese government refused to respond to this. The Chinese government has recently accused Australia of being “unfriendly” or even “hostile”.
Look for a third party fault
China began imposing 80% tariffs on Australian barley in May this year. This is China’s first round of sanctions on Australian exports this year. China claims that Australian barley constitutes an illegal dumping.
The Australian government denied it, noting that it has repeatedly requested dialogue with Beijing, but it has been rejected.
Lawsuits involving dumping often take years. But Birmingham said Australia has no other choice, which has involved billions of Australian dollars worth of trade. The analysis noted that under the tension between Australia and China, a quarter of Australia’s exports of Chinese goods worth A $ 80 billion have been threatened.
Following the announcement of the appeal decision in Birmingham, Australian National Farmers Union President Fiona Simson commented that the market can breathe a sigh of relief if the coal export issue can be properly resolved before the new year . “It is vital to support global trade freedom and protect the relevant rules.”
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Australia considers itself an alleged “victim” and continues to insinuate and criticize China. This is completely confusing and hitting. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: “Since 2018, more than a dozen Chinese investment projects in Australia have been rejected by the Australian side for so-called unjustified national security reasons.”