'Today is a wonderful day': China lifts tariffs on Aussie wine

China lifts tariffs on Australian wines

China will drop tariffs on Australian wine, reopening a $1.1 billion market after years of being blocked.

Australian wine makers have been crippled by the tariffs since 2020.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said as a result of the sanctions being lifted, Australia would drop its legal proceedings at the World Trade Organisation.

When we export our wine it’s good for our winemakers, and it’s good for the people buying it. Because Australian wine is the best in the world.

It’s a huge industry that supports jobs and contributes to our national wealth too. pic.twitter.com/eYve2hsjCP

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 28, 2024

He praised a “calm and consistent approach” that he said was also what achieved the successful removal of duties on Australian barley last year.

“Since 2020, China’s duties on Australian wine effectively made it unviable for Australian producers to export bottled wine to that market,” he said.

“We acknowledge and thank Australian grape growers and wine producers for their fortitude and support during a challenging period.

The Albanese government has made repairing relations with China a priority since it was elected in 2022.

The prime minister said the government’s approach was “to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest – the outcomes on barley and wine reflect that approach.

“We will continue to press for all remaining trade impediments affecting Australian exports to be removed, which is in the interests of both Australia and China.”

Australian Grape and Wine chief executive Lee McLean said “today is a wonderful day for Australia’s wine industry”.

“We know that it’s been a really difficult time over a couple of years and this is absolutely positive news for grape growers and winemakers across the country,” McLean said.

“We know that it’s not going to solve every issue that we have in the market at the moment but it is something that we’re going to be working towards with grape growers and winemakers over the year ahead to make sure that we’re re-entering the market in a sustainable and the correct fashion.

“For right now let’s celebrate what we’ve just achieved with China.”

Treasury Wine Estates chief executive Tim Ford said “the future is bright”.

He paid tribute to the government’s work and said “we look forward to many, many years ahead”.

The wine tariffs will be lifted from tomorrow.