Trade Hostilities Between Australia and China Intensify

The ongoing trade hostilities between Australia and China further intensified this week. Last week’s unofficial ban of all Victorian timber due to ‘bug infestation’ was followed this week with an official Chinese Customs Department notification of an immediate effective ban. Chinese officials reported that 12 shipments of timber from Victoria contained bark beetles. Ships already enroute are part of the ban and ships scheduled for loading, as of now have, been canceled. The Australian Forest Products Association said it was working with government officials in China and Australia to address the issue. On another front, Chinese importers are warning Australian exporters that Chinese Custom officials also intend to block other Australian goods attempting to enter China, and that would include rock lobster, wine, timber and coal.