China began imposing restrictions on Australian products in April, when Canberra drew the ire of Beijing for calling for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Photo: EPA-EFE China began imposing restrictions on Australian products in April, when Canberra drew the ire of Beijing for calling for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Photo: EPA-EFE
China began imposing restrictions on Australian products in April, when Canberra drew the ire of Beijing for calling for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Photo: EPA-EFE
Economy /  China Economy

China-Australia trade deal does not oblige either country to continue buying goods, lawyers say

  • China and Australia are not obliged to trade with each other under World Trade Organization rules or their free-trade agreement, trade lawyers say
  • Canberra accuses China of breaching the letter and spirit of the free-trade deal, while Beijing has taken issue with Australia’s rejection of investments

Topic |   World Trade Organization (WTO)
Su-Lin Tan
Su-Lin Tan

Updated: 5:37am, 15 Dec, 2020

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China began imposing restrictions on Australian products in April, when Canberra drew the ire of Beijing for calling for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Photo: EPA-EFE China began imposing restrictions on Australian products in April, when Canberra drew the ire of Beijing for calling for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Photo: EPA-EFE
China began imposing restrictions on Australian products in April, when Canberra drew the ire of Beijing for calling for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Photo: EPA-EFE
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