The Australian government is officially taking the Chinese regime to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over its imposition of duties on barley after several months of Beijing refusing to engage in a dialogue to sort it out. Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said in a media release on Dec. 16 that Australia “stands ready” to defend […]

Australia’s trade minister has said it is “deeply frustrating” that the Chinese regime refuses to engage with Australia in a dialogue to resolve its trade disputes—and he warned the regime that the business world is watching its behaviour. The Chinese regime has already slapped sanctions on Australian timber, beef, barley, wine, and other products—with more […]

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has not ruled out taking China to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to dispute the economic bullying tactics it is using against some Australian export industries. Birmingham told ABC on Nov. 9 that the Morrison government was considering using the WTO as a way to address the ongoing trade issues […]

Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham says reports that China will curb imports of Australian coal are “discriminatory” and in violation of their trade agreements. According to Chinese state-owned media, Global Times, Australian coal imports have been added to the growing list of banned products, with Beijing shifting focus to countries signed to the […]

While international travel remains off-limits, Australia’s success at controlling COVID-19 at home now allows for economic recovery via domestic travel. “Hop on a plane, go interstate,” Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham told Nine News on December 5 in a push to revive the struggling industry. “The borders are now open, the tourism operators have got generous […]

A new taskforce will spearhead a global campaign to lure leading talent and businesses to Australia, capitalising on the post-COVID business landscape and Hong Kong’s radically changed legal framework. Australia’s low virus infection rate, its democratic system, lifestyle, and proximity to Asia, are all expected to be major selling points for overseas companies and individuals. […]

Federal Resources and Water Minister Keith Pitt has dismissed a suggestion from Nationals Senator Matt Canavan to impose a one percent tariff on Chinese iron ore exports as a counter to ongoing trade sanctions from Beijing. According to Canavan, a counteractive duty would generate over $800 million a year. Canavan suggests this money could then […]

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says the Chinese communist regime’s recent trade disruptions are not just damaging Australian businesses but also that of its own people. Birmingham told ABC Insider host David Spears in an interview on Sunday that he will do all he can to resolve the attacks on Australian imports by China. He […]

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared Australia will never trade away its sovereignty in the face of Beijing’s latest trade-related salvo, this time targeting the valuable wine sector. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Aug. 18 it was launching an investigation into anti-dumping allegations against Australian wine exporters to China. The claims allege Australian winemakers are deliberately […]

Australian and Pacific farmers, businesses and investors are set to benefit from a new trade deal, federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says. Birmingham on December 13 said the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations, which has now come into force, would strengthen Australia’s ties with its Pacific partners. The PACER Plus is a regional development-centred […]

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham says it’s not impossible that international travel could be back on the cards next year, but to do it in the first half of 2021 would be challenging. Such travel will depend on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. “Then of course the manufacturing rollout, distribution, uptake, all the other factors […]