Australia on Friday used China's decision to drop anti-dumping tariffs on its barley imports to call for the end to all remaining trade restrictions, led by wine, as commercial ties between the two trading partners edge towards normalisation.
China's Ministry of Commerce said on Friday anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Australian barley would end on Saturday, roughly three years after the 80.5% duties first cut off what was once as much as a A$1.5 billion ($986.25 million) annual trade and led Canberra to file a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The barley decision follows the resumption of trade in products like coal and timber and puts a spotlight on the few remaining Australian products restricted by China, including wine, which also faces tariffs, as well as unofficial restrictions on lobster and meat exports from certain abattoirs.
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Friday that Chinese restrictions affecting roughly A$20 billion of annual trade as of last May had shrunk to hit about A$2 billion of exports.
Grain Producers Australia CEO Colin Bettles welcomed the removal of tariffs, calling it a win for Chinese consumers and industry as well as local exporters.