Australia & China: WTO confirms complaint filed against China�s tariff on Australian barley

The World Trade Organization (WTO) confirmed the complaint filed against China�s tariffs on Australia�s barley exports, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on December 21.

�China did not determine the export price on a reasonable basis when it improperly discarded the information provided by exporters and producers on the export price of barley, and determined the export price by reference to third-party information,� the complaint said.

�China imposed an 80.5 per cent tariff on Australia�s barley exports in May following the conclusion of an 18-month investigation.�

�Last week, outgoing trade minister Simon Birmingham said Australia�s decision to appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was the �logical and appropriate next step�.�