Advertisement

China-Australia relations: Beijing lifts red meat ban with Canberra as relations improve

Over the past two years, Beijing has dropped tariffs on Australian barley and wine, halted an import ban on timber and resumed shipments of coal

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
2
Workers process meat at an abattoir in Australia. Photo: Reuters

China has fully lifted suspensions on Australian red meat, Canberra said on Tuesday, dismantling one of the final barriers in a four-year trade war that hammered US$13 billion of exports.

Advertisement

A slew of Australia’s most lucrative export commodities were effectively banned from China starting in 2020, as relations between the two nations started to fray.

But China has been gradually unwinding these barriers as Australia steps up efforts to mend ties on the diplomatic front.

Red meat and lobster were the last two commodities subject to some form of barrier or export ban.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that China had paved the way for “full resumption of red meat exports”.

Packed meat is pictured at the Monbeef abattoir in Cooma, Australia. Photo: Reuters
Packed meat is pictured at the Monbeef abattoir in Cooma, Australia. Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, full lobster trade is expected to resume by the end of the year.

Advertisement