China to lift anti-dumping tariffs on Aussie wine, Canberra welcomes

The Ministry of Commerce on Thursday announced that China will lift anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Australian wine starting Friday.

The ministry said in a statement that, given the changes in the relevant wine market in China, it is no longer necessary to impose such tariffs on imports of wine originating in Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the decision, saying it comes at a critical time for the Australian wine industry.

In a joint media release from Australian government agencies, Albanese said the re-entry of Australian bottled wine into the Chinese market will benefit both Australian producers and Chinese consumers.

According to the release, Australia's wine exports to China were worth 1.1 billion Australian dollars (about $713 million) in 2019.

China implemented a five-year anti-dumping tariff on imported wine products from Australia on March 28, 2021. However, just over two years later, on November 30, 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce decided to review the necessity of the tariffs.

Commenting on the latest development, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told media at a regular press briefing on Thursday that China and Australia have recently engaged in dialogue and consultation to properly address each other's concerns and jointly worked to realize a momentum of improvement and growth in bilateral relations.

China is ready to continue to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Australia on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while reserving differences to promote the sound and healthy development of China-Australia relations, Lin said.