China-Australia relations: Beijing ‘erred’ and ‘failed’ on wine, Canberra says in formal WTO complaint
- Move involves China’s duties on Australian wine and marks the second dispute Canberra has launched at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Beijing in just over six months
- Both sides have 60 days to confer, and a WTO dispute panel may be set up if they fail to do so
“Australia has requested WTO dispute consultations with China concerning anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures imposed by China on imports of bottled wine from Australia,” the WTO statement says, noting that the request was circulated among WTO members on Monday.
The latest “request for consultations” filed at the WTO in Geneva gives both sides 60 days to confer. If they fail to agree, a WTO dispute panel may be set up.
“Australia claims the measures in question appear to be inconsistent with various provisions under the WTO’s Anti-Dumping Agreement, the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994,” the statement says.
In its complaint, Australia accused China of “failing to account for the different qualities of wine and product differentiation within the wine market.”
It also said: “China erred in its interpretation and application of the definition of ‘domestic industry’”.
Australia’s foreign minister has previously said that such a complaint should enable bilateral negotiations.
China, Australia’s largest trading partner, responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities such as wine and barley, and has restricted imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes – moves described by the United States as “economic coercion”.