Australia confident of repairing Chinese trade woes
Dominic Giannini |
Australia is hopeful China will back down from trade sanctions despite a tacit swipe from Beijing, warning some disputes cannot be solved.
Trade Minister Don Farrell said he was confident Monday’s meeting with his counterpart Wang Wentao would carve out a pathway removing $20 billion of trade sanctions against Australia.
“We want both sides to benefit from that trade,” Senator Farrell said in his opening remarks.
“There are issues on which we disagree, but we should where possible address those issues through dialogue which I’m hopeful we can do today.”
Senator Farrell told Mr Wang the outcome of the meeting could benefit Canberra and Beijing but Australia would remain firm on its values.
He also praised Chinese people for what they had brought to enrich Australian culture and prosperity.
Discussions spanned trade and investment, including the removal of trade sanctions on Australian exporters.
“Minister Wang and I agreed to enhance dialogue at all levels, including between officials, as a pathway towards the timely and full resumption of trade,” Senator Farrell said in a statement after the meeting.
“We agreed to explore further opportunities for co-operation on a wider range of issues, including climate change and support for business delegations to further strengthen links between our countries.”
Senator Farrell has also accepted an invitation from Mr Wang to travel to China.
Mr Wang said he would like the two nations to work together economically.
“I believe your next trip to China will leave you with a different impression,” he said.
“I am looking forward to professional, candid and practical exchanges of views.”
But he also flagged a potential impasse for the removal of trade sanctions, saying some issues “often cannot be resolved forever”.
He said the priority of the meeting should instead be to build mutual trust.
“We will face up to the issues but at the same time this meeting cannot resolve all of these issues,” he said.
“China will not make a trade off on principled issues.”
The meeting marked the first time in three years Australian and Chinese ministers responsible for trade have met and is expected to lead to an in-person discussion.
AAP
