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SYDNEY: China has now started targeting cotton imports, Australian producers said on Friday (Oct 16), adding to a growing list of products targeted by Beijing as relations between the two countries continue. deteriorating.
After measures targeting the coal, wine, beef and barley sectors, industry officials said it “became clear” that “China has recently been discouraging its country’s spinning mills from using Australian cotton.” .
The value and volume of Australia’s cotton exports are volatile, but are currently worth around A $ 1 billion (US $ 710 million) a year after benefiting greatly from an increase in Chinese tariffs on cotton. cotton produced in the United States.
Australian agriculture minister David Littleproud called on the Chinese authorities to provide “clarity” on the situation and pointed to fair trade obligations under the World Trade Organization.
READ: Australia Seeks Answers on Reported Chinese Coal ‘Ban’
Relations between Beijing and Canberra have worsened in recent years, and China seems increasingly willing to use a number of economic and political tools to demonstrate the cost of bad relations.
The countries have clashed repeatedly, with Australia objecting to further political repression within China and Beijing’s more aggressive flexing of its political, military and economic muscle in Asia-Pacific.
Australian journalists have been detained for questioning in China and forced to flee the country, an Australian citizen has been detained on espionage charges and Beijing has told its people not to visit Australia to study or tour, citing anti-Asian racism in the wake. of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many of China’s trade measures against Australian products have not been officially confirmed or fully detailed, adding to speculation that Beijing is waging a shadow trade war.
“We are a free trade nation, but I will never change our values in response to coercion from wherever it comes from,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier this year.
Cotton producers and exporters said they were trying to clarify the new rules of the game, but indicated that they could look to other markets.
“Despite these changes in the export conditions of our industry, we know that Australian cotton will find a home in the international market,” said Adam Kay, Chief Executive Officer of Cotton Australia and Michael O’Rielley, President of the Australian Cotton Association. Cotton Carriers.
