Anthony Albanese to visit China after ‘productive discussions’ around trade tensions

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he will visit China on November 4, announcing a promising review of crippling trade tariffs on Australian wine.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Prime Minister said his historic visit follows months of “productive discussions” on trade tensions between China and Australia.

He confirmed that the trip was an important step towards “ensuring a stable and productive relationship.”

“I look forward to continuing to work with President Xi and Prime Minister Li in Australia’s national interest,” the Prime Minister said.

China, Australia’s largest trading partner, removed tariffs on Australian barley earlier this year but has not yet rolled back restrictions on Australian wine.

The wine tariffs were introduced in 2020 amid deteriorating relations between China and the former coalition government.

Mr Albanese said on Sunday that the two countries had “reached an agreement” to resolve the ongoing dispute.

‘We welcome China’s agreement to accelerate the review of its obligations. This process is expected to take five months,” Albanese said.

“Australia and China have agreed that we will suspend the wine dispute in the WTO pending the outcome of this review.

“If the duties are not removed at the end of the review, Australia will resume the dispute in the WTO. We are confident of a successful outcome.’

Nearly a third of Australia’s trade is with China. Photo: by Andrei Gordeyev/AFP

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said Mr Albanese’s visit would lay a solid foundation for a “friendly and cooperative relationship” between the two nations in the coming decades.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr Xiao said the trade row was a complicated issue with “no easy answer”.

“There are concerns from the Chinese side, there are concerns from the Australian side and we will try to resolve those issues,” he said.