BEIJING (AP) — China on Thursday said it will lift tariffs placed on Australian wine over three years ago, in a sign of improving ties between the two countries.
China on Thursday said it will lift tariffs placed on Australian wine over three years ago, in a sign of improving ties between the two countries.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the decision will take effect Friday.
China imposed tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 during a diplomatic feud over Australia’s support for a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. The duties on Australian wine skyrocketed above 200%.
Australian wine producers took a heavy hit from the tariffs, as China was Australia’s top wine export destination.
The Australian government welcomed the decision, saying in a statement that the tariffs were lifted at a “critical time for the Australian wine industry.”
He Yadong, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce, said China and Australia are “each other’s important trade partners.
