China-Australia relations: China labelled a ‘vindictive’ and ‘unreliable’ trading partner by Australian envoy
- Ambassador Graham Fletcher made the comments to a China-Australia business group in a briefing from Beijing on Thursday, according to The Australian newspaper and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Australian exports of coal, wine, barley, cotton, lobsters and wood have either been blocked or severely disrupted for almost a year
Australia’s ambassador to Beijing has reportedly described China as a “vindictive” and “unreliable” trading partner as Australian officials revealed steep declines in most exports to the nation’s most important market.
Ambassador Graham Fletcher told a China-Australia business group in an online briefing from Beijing on Thursday he did not know if China was aware of the damage its trade practices were causing in Australia and internationally.
It’s been exposed as quite unreliable as a trading partner and even vindictive
“It’s been exposed as quite unreliable as a trading partner and even vindictive,” The Australian newspaper and Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday quoted Fletcher as saying.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not immediately comment on the accuracy of the media reports.
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