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Chinese Customs Detain Tonnes of Australian Lobsters at Airport amid Renewed Trade Tensions
In a new round of trade tensions between Australia and China, lobsters have taken centre stage. Australian officials revealed that that Chinese customs had recently detained tonnes of Australian lobsters at an airport, claiming that they had to be inspected for their metal content. It was feared that they would die prematurely being unable to be delivered on time. Australia warned China that discrimination against their products constitutes violations of trade agreements and may be met with a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Chinese foreign ministry responded by saying that the lobsters had been quarantined in accordance with the law.
The Australian trade minister, Simon Birmingham, said on 2 November that he was aware of clearance issues with “premium shellfish” exported to China and was working closely with the industry. Birmingham warned China that discrimination against Australian products is a violation of WTO rules and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).
Noting that China was inspecting 50 to 100 percent of the lobsters imported from Australia in the name of testing for metals, the Australian agriculture minister, David Littleproud, emphasized that the lobsters had been checked before being exported and that there is no need for China to do so again, hinting further at a possible complaint to the WTO. Australian exporters worried that the lobsters might spoil before reaching restaurants or hotels if they are stuck in the process for too long. Most exporters have already stopped exporting lobsters to China.
Source: Apple Daily #Nov02
#Australia #China #Lobster #Customs #Trade #Diplomacy
https://bit.ly/3eMffZp
In a new round of trade tensions between Australia and China, lobsters have taken centre stage. Australian officials revealed that that Chinese customs had recently detained tonnes of Australian lobsters at an airport, claiming that they had to be inspected for their metal content. It was feared that they would die prematurely being unable to be delivered on time. Australia warned China that discrimination against their products constitutes violations of trade agreements and may be met with a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Chinese foreign ministry responded by saying that the lobsters had been quarantined in accordance with the law.
The Australian trade minister, Simon Birmingham, said on 2 November that he was aware of clearance issues with “premium shellfish” exported to China and was working closely with the industry. Birmingham warned China that discrimination against Australian products is a violation of WTO rules and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).
Noting that China was inspecting 50 to 100 percent of the lobsters imported from Australia in the name of testing for metals, the Australian agriculture minister, David Littleproud, emphasized that the lobsters had been checked before being exported and that there is no need for China to do so again, hinting further at a possible complaint to the WTO. Australian exporters worried that the lobsters might spoil before reaching restaurants or hotels if they are stuck in the process for too long. Most exporters have already stopped exporting lobsters to China.
Source: Apple Daily #Nov02
#Australia #China #Lobster #Customs #Trade #Diplomacy
https://bit.ly/3eMffZp