AUSTRALIA today said it would drop a case against China at the World Trade Organisation, after Beijing lifted hefty tariffs on the country’s barley exports. 

“We welcome this outcome, which paves the way for our barley exporters to re-enter the Chinese market – benefiting Australian producers and Chinese consumers,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.

Barley exports to China were worth about AUS$916 million (RM 2.73 billion) in the 2018-19 season.

China imposed tariffs on key Australian exports such as barley, beef and wine in 2020, flexing its economic muscle at the height of a bitter dispute with Australia’s former conservative government.

Australia retaliated by launching a case with the WTO, which was paused earlier this year as the countries’ trade ministers stepped up negotiations. 

Canberra is now urging Beijing to drop trade barriers hindering the export of Australian wine, which is the subject of a separate WTO complaint.  – AFP, August 4, 2023.