China imposed tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 during a diplomatic feud over Australia’s support for a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
By Zen Soo and Keiran Smith
China on Thursday said it will lift tariffs placed on Australian wine over three years ago, in a sign of improving ties between the two countries. China’s Ministry of Commerce said the decision will take effect Friday.
China imposed tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 during a diplomatic feud over Australia’s support for a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. The duties on Australian wine skyrocketed above 200 percent.
Australian wine producers took a heavy hit from the tariffs, as China was Australia’s top wine export destination.
The Australian government welcomed the decision, saying in a statement that the tariffs were lifted at a “critical time for the Australian wine industry.”
He Yadong, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce, said China and Australia are “each other’s important trade partners.”
“We are willing to work with Australia to resolve each other’s concerns through dialogue and consultation and jointly promote the stable and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations,” He said.
The trade in 2019, before the tariffs were in place, was worth 1.1 billion Australian dollars (US$710 million) a year to the local economy.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the level of trade would likely increase when restrictions were scrapped.
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