Joint media release: Resolution of barley dispute with China

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt

Today the Australian Government was notified that from tomorrow, China will remove the 80.5 per cent anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Australian barley.

We welcome this outcome, which paves the way for our barley exporters to re-enter the Chinese market – benefiting Australian producers and Chinese consumers.

It affirms the calm and consistent approach that the Albanese Government has taken.

Since May 2020, China’s duties on Australian barley have effectively blocked exports to that market, worth about $916 million in 2018-19.

The removal of duties is the result of work by government and industry to resolve this matter.

We acknowledge and thank industry and affected businesses for their support and patience throughout the World Trade Organization (WTO) process.

In April this year, Australia announced a pathway agreed with China to temporarily suspend our WTO dispute while China conducted an expedited review of the measures. 

The removal of these duties means that Australia will now discontinue legal proceedings at the WTO.

This outcome demonstrates the importance of the WTO dispute mechanism in defending the interests of Australia’s world-class producers and farmers. 

We have been clear that we expect a similar process to be followed to remove the duties on Australian wine.

In the meantime, we are continuing to pursue our wine dispute at the WTO and remain confident in a positive outcome. 

The Australian Government’s approach has been to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest. The outcome on barley reflects that approach.

We will continue to press for all trade impediments affecting Australian exports to be removed, which is in the interests of both Australia and China.