Following the Chinese Government’s official removal of the hefty tariffs imposed on Australian barley and wine, Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism Kevin Hogan has called for the focus to shift to removing trade impediments imposed on rock lobster and beef.

“In an ABC radio interview in November last year, the Minister indicated that after meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao, he was ‘very confident’ the remaining trade bans on rock lobster and seven beef processors would be removed by Christmas,” Mr Hogan said.

“We are now near the end of April and these trade bans remain in place. We are glad action has been taken on tariffs imposed on Australian wine and barley, however the Government must ensure China removes all trade bans, as a matter of priority.”

“Prior to the restrictions, more than 94 per cent of Australia’s $752 million rock lobster exports went to China, and around $2.5 billion worth of beef was exported there.”

“The Coalition acted to defend the interests of Australian exporters in 2021 by engaging the World Trade Organisation Dispute Settlement Body to review the trade bans imposed by China, which led to a positive result with wine and barley.”

“The Coalition negotiated the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement back in 2015 to help pave the way for the next phase of Australia’s economic relationship with China.”

“Between 2013 and 2022, the Coalition in Government finalised 11 trade agreements including the FTA with the UK and the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with India.”

“These agreements lifted the share of trade covered by FTAs from 27 per cent in 2013 to 80 per cent when you include India and the UK FTAs.”

“The Coalition has consistently backed our Australian exporters, and the Labor government needs to come to the table and fix this for all remaining industries.”

Source: Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism

Related article: China deep dive: On beef’s bumpy road, is there a way back?