The World Trade Organization has agreed with Australia’s request to establish a disputes-settling panel to investigate China’s hefty duties on Australian barley.
China blocked an earlier attempt to establish a WTO panel.
It said it’s willing to continue negotiations and said its duties are justified under WTO rules.
One of the tariffs is to offset China’s claim that Australia subsidizes barley.
The duties were imposed after Australia criticized China’s handling of COVID-19, and it also imposed duties on Australian wines.
Canada also faced Chinese trade action against canola and pork after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, vice-president of Huawei, because the United States applied to have her extradited to face charges in the U.S.
