Aussie jobs on the line as PM vows to raise last China trade bans

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has found himself emblazoned on an iconic Queensland drink as he visits the Sunshine State ahead of his China visit.

Beijing’s coercive sanctions against Queensland abattoirs and the seafood industry will be raised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when he meets with China’s President Xi Jinping from Friday.

Ahead of the historic meeting, the first between leaders of the two nations since 2016, Mr Albanese said engagement with China was important because it represented Australian jobs.

He made the comments while in Bundaberg for the opening of a Bundaberg Brewed Drinks brewery on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanes at the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks brewery on Tuesday

While China has dropped $18 billion in trade sanctions in recent months – including on coal – there are still about $1.3 billion in bans in place.

Since 2020, China has hit 11 Australian abattoirs with suspensions, including the Queensland-based Meramist, Kilcoy Pastoral, JBS Beef City and JBS Dinmore.

No import permits have been issued for live rock lobster since late 2020.

Queensland’s seafood exports to China have fallen to $106,000 in 2022-23, down from more than $1 million in 2018-19, according to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade data.

Beef exports from the state have recovered somewhat to $1 billion, but remain below the peak of $1.4 billion in 2019-20.

Mr Albanese vowed to tackled the remaining trade blockages in his three-day mission to China from November 4.

“I always raise impediments to Australia’s trade,” he said.

“I’m very pleased that issues such as barley, hay, timber, and wine, are either resolved or on the way to being resolved. This makes an enormous difference.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later this week. Picture: Suo Takekuma/AFP

“What that represents is Australian jobs. That’s why it’s in Australia’s interest to be engaged in the world. That’s why the improvement in relations between Australia and China are in both of our nation’s interests.”

Trade Minister Don Farrell will also be travelling to China with Mr Albanese.

Queensland Seafood Industry Association CEO David Bobbermen said he welcomed any move to reopen markets.

“Anything that gives more market access and higher prices for seafood producers in Queensland is a welcome move forward,” he said.

Coal exports restarted after China’s unofficial ban on product from Australia was lifted earlier this year.

Commodity market data agency Argus Media’s Australia has previously noted that coal shipments to China had steadily been increased from 2 million tonnes in February to 5.4 million tonnes in May.