In the latest move, China has lifted import suspensions on several Australian beef processing plants, marking a step towards normalizing trade relations.
The Australian government announced the removal of suspensions on five beef processing facilities, bringing the total to eight, with two plants still facing restrictions.
“We continue to press China to remove the remaining trade impediments, including for Australia’s rock lobster industry,” stated Murray Watt, Australia’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, in a joint statement with trade and tourism counterpart Don Farrell.
China had imposed import restrictions on various Australian exports in 2020 as a response to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s call for an international inquiry into the Covid-19 outbreak origins.
However, with negotiations ongoing with the new Labour government led by Anthony Albanese, China has started easing restrictions this year.
“Trade impediments imposed by China prior to the May 2022 election resulted in a A$20.6bn ($13.7bn) reduction in exports,” according to the joint statement. “China’s progressive removal of impediments since then, including today’s announcement, means less than A$1bn worth of exports remain impeded.”
Speaking on ABC News, Watt expressed optimism, stating, “That is fantastic news for Australia’s cattle producers, for our meat processing industry, for the workers in those industries and of course for Australian exports.
“The work that we’ve done to stabilize our relationship with China is paying real dividends for our farmers, our processors…”
He added that China’s latest relaxation will bring in an additional A$3bn for government export coffers, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang scheduled to visit Australia for talks with Prime Minister Albanese.
The Australian government highlighted that the previous lifting of controls on products like barley, cotton, wine, coal, copper ores, and logs amounted to over A$11.5bn.
