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Who started Australia-China tensions?

Updated: Dec 10, 2020

Warwick Powell | 鲍韶山 | CEO, Beefledger


While ABC News talks about "China's attack on Australian trade", once again the reportage fails to mention the plethora of actions Australia has taken during the first half of 2020 in relation to trade sanctions against Chinese imports, creating a misleading context of understanding. Here’s a summary chronology to end Oct.


17 Feb Australia imposes dumping duties on Chinese aluminium extrusions

28 Feb Australia imposes dumping duties on stainless steel sinks

31 Mar Australia imposes dumping duties on pipe & tubular steel

16 Apr Australia imposes dumping investigation on A4 copy paper

21 Apr Australia starts probe into the origins of COVID-19

11 May In return, China bans 4 Australian meat processing plants

13 May Australia continues to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese silicon metal

18 May China imposes 80.5% tariff on Australian barley exports

27 May Australia initiates anti-dumping investigation on steel strapping

30 Jun Australia initiates anti-dumping investigation on Al-Zn coated steel

10 Jul Australia initiates anti-dumping investigation on steel reinforcing bars

13 Jul Australia initiates anti-dumping investigation on Copper tubes

27 Jul Australia initiates anti-dumping investigation on Steel coils

18 Aug In return, China starts anti-dumping investigation on Australian wines (18 Aug),

25 Aug A Chinese company fails to acquire Kirin, blocked by the Australian govt

31 Aug China starts investigation into subsidised Australian wine imports

31 Aug China halts barley import from Australia

13 Oct Reports that Chinese customs officials have informally told state-owned steelmakers and power plants to stop Aussie coal.


In case there was any doubt, let’s be clear: Australia has been a prolific user of anti dumping measures - for example, this article. This is a different issue to whether the measures are warranted or not. The extensive use of these measures and the disproportionate targeting of products from one country is a matter of fact.

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