China imposes measures on Australian wine imports
Trade relations between China and Australia chilled further on Friday (November 27).
Australia responded defiantly to Beijing imposing anti-dumping tariffs on its wine.
China says it will impose temporary tariffs of between 107% and 212% on wine imported from Australia, starting immediately.
The Australian government said it was "deeply disappointed".
On Friday trade minister Simon Birmingham spoke out against the move:
"This is a devastating blow to those businesses who trade with China in the wine industry. It will render unviable for many businesses their wine trade with China. And clearly, we think it is unjustified, and without evidence to back it up."
China began an anti-dumping probe in August at the request of the Chinese Alcoholic Drinks Association.
But in Canberra the decision was viewed as part of a pattern of trade measures since Australia called for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.
This year China has imposed tariffs on Australian barley, suspended meat imports, and Chinese importers were told to expect customs delays across seven categories of Australian products.
They range from coal to seafood.
China takes 37% of Australia's total wine exports, an industry worth over 2 billion U.S. dollars.
