China’s Commerce Minister has weighed into a trade dispute impacting Australian farmers, saying Canberra has launched more than 100 trade investigations since the two countries established diplomatic relations.
Key points:
- China’s new tariff on Australian barley will likely cost farmers hundreds of millions of dollars
- Beijing also responded to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton’s criticism of Victoria’s engagement with the Belt and Road Initiative
- Australia’s calls for an investigation into the origins of coronavirus has sparked diplomatic tensions
His comments came as Beijing slammed Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton over his criticism of Victoria’s trade deal with China under its Belt and Road Initiative.
It is the first time Commerce Minister Zhong Shan has publicly addressed Beijing’s imposition of an 80 percent tariff on Australian barley, amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Many analysts see the tariff as retaliation for Australia’s pushing for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to the state-run China Central Television (CCTV) network, Mr. Zhong reiterated China’s assertion that the decision was the result of an 18-month trade investigation, saying China had “safeguarded the rights of all parties in China and Australia and listened to the opinions of stakeholders”.
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