TRADE Minister Don Farrell is “very optimistic” the Chinese Government is close to dropping its sanctions on Australian barley as strained economic relations continue to thaw.
Senator Farrell held talks in the US with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao last Friday, a fortnight after visiting his counterpart in Beijing for the first in-person meeting between Australia and China’s trade ministers since 2019.
The Chinese Government removed its ban on Australian timber soon after that trip, and Senator Farrell said he used their US meeting to reiterate “how important it was for the continued removal of all remaining impediments”, including on wine and seafood.
He said China was not “very far away at all” from a verdict on the barley tariffs imposed three years ago, adding he was hopeful the decision would come in time from producers to benefit during the current sewing cycle.
Mr Farrell previously said he had constructive and “candid” discussion on matters of importance to the Australian people, including consular cases, while at the 16th Joint Ministerial Economic Commission in Beijing last month.
“I pressed Australia’s position for the timely resolution of remaining trade impediments, which would be in the interests of both countries,” he said.
“Minister Wang confirmed that China’s expedited review of barley duties is on track. I reaffirmed that we expect a similar process to be followed to remove trade barriers for Australian wine.
“I achieved what I came here for – to find a pathway to resolve the remaining trade impediments.”
