Australia threatens to take China to WTO and backs Boris Johnson's stance on Uighur abuses
Scott Morrison says China’s 116.2% to 218.4% levies on Australia’s wine imports are ‘retaliation’
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Australia’s trade minister threatened to take
China to the World Trade Organization on Saturday over its “unjustifiable” decision to increase duties on Australian wine imports for up to five years.
In the latest salvo between Beijing and Canberra, China’s commerce ministry announced levies ranging from 116.2% to 218.4% would be slapped on Australian wine imports from Sunday.
The Australian trade minister, Dan Tehan, said the tariffs meant it was “basically impossible” for Australian wine to be competitive in the Chinese market.
“This decision which has been taken by the Chinese government is extremely disappointing and completely unjustifiable,” Tehan told reporters in Melbourne. “We will be looking at next steps, and those next steps will include looking at taking this matter to the World Trade Organization.”
On Friday, the Chinese commerce ministry said it was imposing the duties after an investigation found “dumping and subsidies on imported wines” from Australia affected the Chinese market.
Wine exports to China hit a record A$1.3bn in 2019, according to Australian government data, making it the biggest market by value for the product.
Late last year, Australia also called for the WTO to investigate Chinese tariffs on barley imports, following a series of economic sanctions or disruptions to Australian products to China’s vast market.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries have reached their lowest since the deadly 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Many see the sanctions as retribution for Australia blocking Chinese investment in sensitive areas and publicly calling for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus.
The Australian prime minister,
Scott Morrison, speaking in Sydney, accused Beijing of using the tariffs as “retaliation”.
Morrison also said Australia stood with the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, after China imposed sanctions on several people in the UK and EU over their vocal support for the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of abuses.
“So Boris – well done, mate – we stand with you and thank you for standing with Australia as well.”
Scott Morrison says China’s 116.2% to 218.4% levies on Australia’s wine imports are ‘retaliation’
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