Reports: China to ban Australian coal in escalating trade war | DW News

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called China's rumored move to not approve Australian coal imports a "lose-lose" situation on Tuesday and said it would be a breach of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The prime minister's comments came in response to a report by the Chinese state-owned Global Times newspaper that the country's National Development and Reform Commission had given the go-ahead for coal imports without restriction, with the exception of coal from Australia. Relations between China and Australia have deteriorated in recent months, especially from the fallout of Australia's call for an independent inquiry into the initial outbreak of coronavirus in China. The strain between the two countries has struck Australian exports, including its most lucrative coal and iron ore exports.

In light of the fact that the Chinese government has not yet announced the banning of Australian coal as an official policy, Morrison said he was treating the report as "media speculation." However, the news sparked concerns and the Australian prime minister highlighted the possible breach of international trade rules. "If that were the case, then that would obviously be in breach of WTO rules,'' Morrison told reporters. "It would be obviously in breach of our own free trade agreement and so we would hope that's certainly not the case." Australia was already close to finalizing a complaint with the WTO regarding Chinese tariffs on Australian barley imports.

The reported ban followed well-documented delays in offloading coal from Australian ships at Chinese ports, which was part of what Trade Minister Simon Birmingham referred to as "a pattern of disruption." The Chinese embassy in Australia last month laid out a list of 14 grievances with Canberra — everything from limiting Chinese tech giant Huawei's role in Australia's 5G network, to what China called "peddling lies" about abuses of the Uighur Muslim community in Xinjiang, or "siding with the US' anti-China campaign" regarding the coronavirus. Morrison warned China of knock-on effects of banning Australian coal, saying: "If a perception emerges that there is a conflation between political issues and a trading relationship... That can create a lot of uncertainty for many other trading partners."

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[dwnews]

Correction: China isn't part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as stated in the reoport, but a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

[YHT-fnib]

Both sides hate each other, so this is a win-win move. Stay away from each other.

[samwong]

AUS: "China is evil, we should not trade with China at all!"
CHN: "Alright, I respect your decision, no more business with you."
AUS: "China is evil. China has no right not to buy from us."

[youngzo]

Im confused, isnt this what Aus wanted? To not deal with the CCP? Why are they being so pathetic?

[aroesdi]

Just buy Indonesia coal.
Thnks to China and Australia from Indonesia

[kevinrock]

That‘s because Australia banned HUAWEI first, simple retaliateion. DW just made the simple thing confused.

[kaybee]

If USA can use national security reasons to ban so many things from China, Canada, Mexico, EU, why don't China use national security reason to ban things from Australia. National security reason is allowed by WTO.

[Ilovecruise]

US: Australia go bite China!
Australia: bite bite
China: ban Australia
Australia: wait it’s unfair
US: sign deal with China

[WBCY]

Well Australians got what they asked for. No more trades.

[sameeyon]

Australia started this whole mess. Now stop crying and deal with it.😂😂😂😂

[Bamboo]

It is quite simple, why to spend money on a seller you don't like.

[akteno]

Well, less coal is good for the climate :)

[Kabwelason]

its a national security issue for china to continue trading with australia

[Yoghurtyyyy]

Do more homework DW news. China and Au are both members of RCEP not CPTPP. If AU can ban Huawei without any evidence, why cant China ban imports from Au?

[edwardong]

Australia can always export their products to US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, south Korea, etc. So why should Australia be so emotional just bcos people don't not want to buy your products. On the same note, Australia also has choice to accept Huawei 5G or not too !!!

[jnusslein]

“political issues come out, and the trade is abandoned” are you criticising USA?

[jnusslein]

China is pursuing green energy and keeping the promise of carbon emissions, Australia is pretty good target.

[spiritharmony]

I think China is just giving the war Austrlia wanted for so long, if you want to fight that bad then fight

[cristinaximera]

DW has to fix their anti-Chinese bias. These incomplete presentations of the facts are getting ab bit boring.

[PeterSodhi]

Oz asked to decouple their economy from China including Huwaei... Smart move Oz - now start crying