WTO faults Australian inquiry into trade dispute with China
- Canberra’s investigations into dumping and subsidising of railway wheels, stainless steel sinks and wind towers were flawed, says the panel’s ruling
- China had imposed bans and duties starting in 2020, when geopolitical disagreements with Australia turned into a full-blown trade war
A World Trade Organization panel has ruled that some Australian measures against Chinese imports were not in line with its rules.
Canberra’s investigations into dumping and subsidising of railway wheels, stainless steel sinks and wind towers were flawed, the ruling said.
It follows a complaint from China over Australian anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures three years ago, in the midst of a fierce bilateral political and trade spat.
In all three cases, WTO judges found fault with how Australia conducted its investigation, specifically on how it compared the prices of the goods sold domestically in China and their prices abroad.
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The ruling recommends that Australia amend or withdraw the measures, although some have already been resolved as part of a broader thaw in relations between the countries.