Trade Minister Dan Tehan also announced on Friday afternoon that the Australian government is taking the next step in its first WTO claim against Beijing for its tariffs on barley,formally asking the world body to establish a dispute settlement panel to address the matter. China has so far declined to establish the dispute settlement panel,so Australia turning to the WTO confirms it is intent on progressing with the claim.
Mr Tehan said Australia remained open to further discussions with China with a view to resolving the dispute over barley,but would “continue to vigorously defend the interests of Australian barley producers” at the WTO.
“The establishment of the panel is the next step in the WTO’s dispute resolution process. The next phase of the process is the appointment of individuals to the panel to adjudicate the dispute,” Mr Tehan said.
“The anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Australian barley have effectively stopped Australia’s barley trade with China.”
Australia first announced it was launching WTO action against China on the barley tariffs in December last year.