Original title: WTO sets up an expert group to resolve the China-Australia barley dispute, China responds
[环球时报-环球网报道 记者 倪浩]The World Trade Organization (WTO) agreed to set up a panel of experts to resolve the barley trade dispute between China and Australia. At the same time, New Zealand will also participate in the trial as a third party. The Ministry of Commerce of China responded to this on June 3, stating that the Chinese government has always respected WTO rules and New Zealand’s right to participate in this case.
According to Reuters, the World Trade Organization (WTO) last Friday (May 28) agreed to set up a dispute settlement group to resolve the dispute over China’s anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Australian barley. As a member of the WTO, New Zealand will also participate in the trial as a third party.
The Australian Embassy in China issued a statement on May 28 stating that the establishment of an expert group is a step in the dispute settlement process of the World Trade Organization. The next stage will be to appoint expert group members to adjudicate disputes. The Australian Embassy stated in a statement that the anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on Australian barley actually prevented Australia’s barley trade with China.
In response to the application of the domestic barley industry, the Ministry of Commerce of China issued an announcement on November 19 and December 21, 2018, deciding to initiate an anti-dumping investigation and an anti-subsidy investigation against imported barley originating in Australia.
After the case was filed, the Ministry of Commerce conducted investigations in strict accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations and relevant WTO rules, and finally ruled that there was dumping and subsidies for imported barley originating in Australia. The domestic industry was substantially damaged, and the dumping and subsidies were between the dumping and subsidies and the material damage. There is a causal relationship, and it is decided to impose anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on the above products from May 19, 2020. The anti-dumping duty rate is 73.6%, the countervailing duty rate is 6.9%, and the collection period is 5 years.
According to reports, Australia is China’s largest barley supplier, with an annual export value of approximately 1.5 billion to 2 billion Australian dollars (approximately 980 million to 1.3 billion US dollars), accounting for more than half of its exports. After being “reversed” by China, in order to protect the interests of its barley producers, Australia filed a formal appeal to the WTO at the end of last year, requesting a review of China’s decision to impose high tariffs on imported barley from Australia.
Gao Feng, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, responded to this on the afternoon of June 3, saying that according to the application of China’s domestic industry, China initiated anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against imported barley originating in Australia. After a one-and-a-half-year investigation, China has decided in accordance with the law to impose anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on imported barley originating in Australia from May 19, 2020. Gao Feng emphasized that the Chinese government has always respected WTO rules and has consistently followed WTO rules. China will properly handle this case in accordance with WTO dispute settlement procedures. At the same time, China respects the right of New Zealand, as a member of the WTO, to participate in the trial of relevant dispute cases as a third party.
Gao Feng said that since joining the WTO, China has always been a firm defender and an important contributor to the active participation of the multilateral trading system. China fully fulfills its membership obligations, firmly supports the multilateral trading system, and has made positive contributions to the liberalization and facilitation of global trade and investment. It has become an important engine for world economic growth and promotes all members to achieve mutual benefit and common development.
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