Australia's Trade Minister, Don Farrell, voiced high hopes on Wednesday suggesting that Beijing's ban on live lobster imports from Australia may be lifted soon, following a visit from the Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
This could symbolise an important step in the Australian government's efforts to steady bilateral relations since its political ascendancy in 2022. China had put on the brakes to minister-to-minister communication with Australia and introduced a series of official and unofficial trade barriers targeting Australian goods such as beef, barley, coal, wood, and wine.
These actions, which began in 2020, cost exporters around 20 billion Australian dollars ($13billion) annually. Trade relations reached their low point when a former Australian government demanded an independent investigation into China's handling of, and response to, the COVID-19 outbreak.
Farrell expressed optimism over China lifting its final trade barrier on lobsters following Li's visit, making him the first Chinese premier to step foot on Australian soil in seven years. "I think there's both the willingness on our part and the part of the Chinese government to remove all of the impediments in our relationship," Farrell said.
Aside from lobsters, no other Australian products are under any current bans. Farrell reminded people that China had already removed imposed tariffs on Australian wine this past March and had eliminated restrictions on Australian beef back in December 2023. "I'd be very confident that the visit this week will result in a very successful outcome for lobster producers," added Farrell.
Highest ranking Catholic cleric not offered state funeral over child abuse case
Li will be joined by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao for his trip to the Australian cities of Adelaide, Canberra, and Perth from Saturday until Tuesday next week. Farrell highlighted that every discussion he's had with Wang since the center-left Labor Party took over in 2022 has advanced their trade ties.
"I'm very confident that not only will we remove all of the remaining trade impediments, but that we can actually continue to build on our trading relationship with China," Farrell expressed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, marking the first Australian leader to visit Beijing in seven years last November, noted Li's visit as a sign of mended relations under the new administration. "That has been important for Australia to renew that trade, because one in four of Australian jobs relies upon trade, and one in four of Australian export dollars is from trade to China," Albanese stated.
Speaking at Wirra Wirra Vineyard in South Australia, which just celebrated its 130th anniversary, Farrell announced. Since the lifting of tariffs in April, AU$86 million ($57million) worth of wine has been shipped to what was once the top market for Australian vineyards, Farrell reported.
This marked a significant increase in Australian wine sales to China compared to the total of the previous three years. Before tariffs virtually halted the trade in 2020, Australia supplied nearly 40% of China's imported wine, a market worth AU$1.24 billion ($820million) annually to Australian exporters. While the trade relationship is on the mend, tensions are rising in the security relationship as Australia backs US efforts to counter China's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Albanese stated he will discuss with Li the clashes between Australian and Chinese forces over international waters in the South China and Yellow seas. Additionally, Albanese will reiterate Australia's demand for the release of Australian blogger Yang Hengjun from a Beijing prison.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
