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China-Australia Trade War Looms Over COVID-19 Investigation

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - China's sudden decision to ban Australian meat from four major
   suppliers is being seen as retaliation for Canberra's push for a global
   investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is thought
   to have started at an animal market in the Chinese city of Wuhan late
   last year.

   China has indicated it will impose an 80 percent tariff on Australian
   barley exports. It has also banned red meat from four Australian
   suppliers that control more than a third of the country's exports to
   China.

   Opposition politicians and academics believe the moves are payback for
   Australia's call for an international inquiry into the COVID-19 crisis.
   Last month, China's ambassador to Australia threatened a consumer
   backlash against Australian exports because of Canberra's attempt to
   garner global support for a probe into the origins of the new
   coronavirus.

   But authorities in Beijing this week asserted that Australian
   agricultural exporters have violated quarantine regulations, as well as
   other health and labeling issues.

   Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham also believes the suspension
   of meat exports is not linked to the call for a COVID-19 investigation.

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