Improving Trade Relations Between Australia and China
Trade Minister Don Farrell of Australia has indicated that China’s trade restrictions on Australian beef and lobster might be lifted by the end of the year. This development is seen as a sign of the improving relations between Canberra and Beijing.
Farrell, in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp., mentioned his upcoming meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao at the APEC meetings in the US. He referred to the restrictions on lobster and beef as “biosecurity issues,” distinguishing them from the tariffs on wine and barley imposed over three years ago.
“I remain very confident, based on my meeting last week and hopefully my meeting today, that by Christmas all of these trade impediments will be removed,” Farrell stated on ABC radio.
Recent Developments in Bilateral Ties
The relationship between Australia and China has seen significant improvement over the past 18 months, particularly following the election of the centre-left Labor government in Canberra. A notable event in this warming of ties was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Beijing earlier this month, marking the first such visit by an Australian leader in over seven years.
This thaw in relations comes after a period of tension in 2020 when then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an investigation into the origins of Covid-19. Beijing had responded to Morrison’s call with tariffs on Australian wine and barley and limited purchases of other products, including beef, timber, and coal.
Progress in Resolving Trade Disputes
The Chinese government lifted the barley tariffs in August following a four-month review. A similar review process for the wine sanctions was announced in October, expected to last five months. While Australia would have preferred a simultaneous lifting of all sanctions, Farrell acknowledged that China has its processes to follow.
“We are simply encouraging them to complete those processes so Chinese consumers can get the advantage of wonderful Australian lobster, beef, and of course, wine,” Farrell added.
