China has suspended meat imports from four Australian abattoirs. Tension is damaging Australia’s most important trading relationship.
Trade tactics are fairly common between big nations; as we have seen between the United States and China, Japan and South Korea, the United States and North Korea, and many more.
This time it will hit the meat industry of Australia. The suspension will start on May 12, according to a statement of a Chinese customs website. The four plants contributes approximately 35% of Australian beef exports to China.
Australia Enraged China
Australia has stoked tensions with China in recent weeks over the origin of the coronavirus pandemic and the covering of facts during the early stage of the virus by the Chinese. Moreover, Australia has been calling for an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
China’s Explanation
The reason put out by the Chinese’s foreign ministry, by Zhao Lijian, on Tuesday was that beef imports were suspended in order “ to secure the health and safety of Chinese consumers,” This comes as the Chinese customs “found products exported by certain Australian companies violate the inspection and quarantine requirements jointly decided by the competent authorities from both Australia and China,”
Zhao went on to criticised Australia’s pursuit of a probe into the origins of the coronavirus first discovered in China. The spokesman further decline that the two issues were related in anyway, telling reporters in Beijing: “I don’t think you should take them as one, or make any erroneous political interpretation.” He also further elaborated that both countries will work together to seek for a solution.
Although China declines that the import ban is a threat but it is clear that China is discontented with Australia’s call for a probe into the origin of the coronavirus and settling the blame on China.
How will this evolve? Will Australia yield? With Trump also blaming China for its “mismanagement”, will a global probe be made to investigate the origin of the virus?
