Key Points
- After cutting off Australia’s beef imports, China had pivoted to Brazil’s market.
- The path to reviving the trade was laid out by Senator Don Farrell.
A high-level departmental meeting between officials in Canberra and Beijing has paved the way for Australia’s trade minister to visit China, possibly within a matter of weeks.
Australian government sources say the minister, Don Farrell, could be on a plane to Beijing within that timeframe after “productive” discussions on Thursday.
The government anticipates such a visit would be timed to take place alongside an announcement on the future of $20 billion in trade sanctions.
While there have been recent signs that coal and lobster exports are back on the menu, many other industries remain restricted including timber, wine and beef.
After cutting off Australia’s beef imports, China had pivoted to Brazil’s market, but imports from Brazil have been suspended while a case of Mad Cow Disease is under investigation.
Thursday’s departmental talks follow the virtual meeting between Senator Farrell and China’s Minister for Commerce Wang Wentao earlier this month.
The path to reviving the trade was laid out by Senator Farrell after the teleconference with Minister Wang.
“Our discussion covered a range of trade and investment issues, including the need for resumption of unimpeded trade for Australian exporters so that Chinese consumers can continue to benefit from high-quality Australian products,” Senator Farrell said on 6 February.
“Minister Wang and I agreed to enhance dialogue at all levels, including between officials, as a pathway towards the timely and full resumption of trade.”
