Australia not on brink of trade war, govt reassures

Foreign Minister Marise Payne is playing down suggestions Australia is on the brink of a trade war after China suspended imports from four abattoirs. 

The decision raised concerns of a trade stoush between the two nations over Australia's push for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. 

The suspension came just days after China announced it would level tariffs on Australian barely produces amid an anti-dumping investigation. 

Speaking with Sky News, Senator Payne was eager to dismiss concerns the trade dispute and the inquiry were linked. 

“We regard these as separate issues and indeed China has said the same and it’s important for our farmers that we deal with it in that way,” Ms Payne said. 

“The barley issue, in particular, had been the subject of some consideration in China for 18 months or so and I know Minister Birmingham has made a number of comments about this in recent days and we expected that to come back at about this point in time.”

Minister Payne, however, made it clear Australia would not stand down from the call for an inquiry. 

She also shut down claims from Labor she had vacated the China debate and allowed backbenchers to dictate foreign policy. 

“I think the tone is being very carefully set by the prime minister and by me in my capacity and other ministers who are engaged on these issues and I think we will continue to do that in an appropriate, considered and determined way in Australia’s national interests,” she said.

“It’s not necessarily for me to have a public argument with the opposition on those matters even if that is what they want.”

[Knowbody]

If you're not going to start a trade war, get out and let someone else do it.

[wongralvju]

Thumb up for being among the first to stand up to a world bully.

[cliftonleathercraft]

Greetings from the United States; She seems like an intelligent, well spoken little badass. We should trade more from our brothers across the pond and take China out of the equation!

[Bodhished]

How about we focus on trade with Indonesia, India, Japan, south Korea and the Middle East and move away from China.

[JeepCherokeeful]

First mistake, tell your adversary you’re just bluffing. How do these folks get put in such consequential positions? Lost all the leverage. Bending like a palm tree in a typhoon;(

[stenkarasin]

No, they are not separate incidents, it is a coercive move by China.

[JeepCherokeeful]

Aussies have the right to get rid of her.

[stevewiles]

Not on the brink, well and truly into the opening phase.

[Lanes]

You’d better step down and give your portfolio to someone with real balls. Please stop lying to us, it’s going to look real bad once the SHTF.

[blinkybill]

Payne does not have the balls to accept the fact that China is kicking our ass, and she is happy to look the other way, bend over, and accept the threats.
What she should be doing is to think of ways to diversify our trading partners and get rid of China altogether.
If we don't stand up to them, Australia will end up being another Hong Kong.

[robertwright]

It is easier for the Australian people to stop buying non essential items from Chinese manufacturered products than the Government to be confrontational to wards China, like it or not there has to be a certain amount of diplomacy towards China

[AshAlmond]

Sometimes one needs to move one step backwards to move two steps forwards

[AximandTheCursed]

"We're not on the brink, the opening shots have already been fired"

[tanggo]

Malcom Turnbull, in his memoir, practically admitted that Australia's ban on Huawei is not based on any smoking guns on security issue, but simply it is a Chinese company. Shouldn't Australia in turn expect China to treat Australian export the same way?

[wekapeka]

There is now a great marketing opportunity for shops to advertise that they do not stock goods that are made in China.
(e.g. I get back from the supermarket to find tinned mushrooms are “made in China” . I don’t want to have to read every label I just want locally produced product and not goods shipped half way around the world.

[cougarmain]

They will not agree either you kowtow or it is finished.

Bring our Backbenches who have SOME BALLS come to the Frontbench and stand with the politicians that won't back down. Its time to take a stand. Minister Marise Payne, you are not listening to Australians.

[jarrettb]

There is no war if you bow to every demand.

[Cube_Ernator]

Australia needs to open up a trade dialogue with Britain- forget this "other" Country!!

[kerrypriest]

The people of Australia, are not going to continue allowing Australia to be sold /leased off and we want/Expect Australia to be treated with equal respect from our trading partners, drop them now, do your job and get on the phone to India, England, the rest of Asia, US, EU, everywhere except China understand the few billionaires may want to stay trading with them, but the Average Aussie does not . AND IN ANY WAR IT WILL BE OUR BLOOD SPILLED NOT THE BILLIONAIRES.