Chinese Commerce minister gives Don Farrell ‘personal assurances’ Australian beef, lobster bans to end

Trade Minister Don Farrell says China’s Commerce Minister has said he will take a ‘personal interest’ in ensuring the removal of Beijing’s remaining bans on Australian trade.

Trade Minister Don Farrell on the rooftop of the Peace Hotel in Shanghai. Picture: Will Glasgow

Don Farrell has declared trade with China could grow by another $75bn, as he called for more ambition in the economic relationship after receiving a “personal” assurance from the Chinese Commerce Minister that bans on Australian beef and lobster were likely to end before the federal election.

Speaking exclusively to The Australian on the rooftop of Shanghai’s Peace Hotel, the Trade Minister outlined a bullish outlook that departed from the government’s previous focus on “diversification” from China.

While Senator Farrell’s two-day China trip meant he missed the Adelaide event that kicked off Anthony Albanese’s re-election campaign, the factional heavyweight used the Shanghai backdrop to add to the Labor pitch.

“Trade has been a great success story over the life of this government,” he told The Australian on Monday, adding that thanks to the Albanese government’s ­“patience and persistence”, Australia’s trade ties could grow significantly in the coming years.

“It was $327bn last year. Why can’t it be $400bn?” he said.

“We can do that, but simultaneously we can increase our ­exports to other countries as a defensive mechanism.”

The Trade Minister said his department had helped to muster a record number of Australian ­attendees at the China International Import Expo, the world’s biggest trade show, which is been held in Shanghai this week.

Of the 250-odd Australian businesses, 100 are displaying at CIIE for the first time. About 30 of those are entirely new to the Chinese market.

”These are companies that we’ve encourage, through Austrade, my department, to get off their bums, hop on a plane and come here and sell,” the Trade Minister said.

“We know from the results last year how much trade was done. I’d expect a better result than that. Having said that, we know the dangers of putting all your eggs in the one basket. So we’re focused on other countries.”

He noted that India, Britain and Southeast Asia had been particular priorities for the government’s “China-plus” strategy.

Late on Sunday, the Trade Minister met with China’s Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, for 45 minutes.

Trade Minister Don Farrell. Picture: Will Glasgow

Senator Farrell said Mr Wang was a “very influential fellow in the Chinese constellation”, who frequently travelled with China’s President and Premier. It was their ninth meeting. “I have met with him more than any other Australian minister has met with one of their counterparts,” Senator Farrell said. “And I think, more significantly, I’ve met with him more than I’ve met with any other trade minister.”

At the meeting, the Chinese Commerce Minister said the live lobster trade would be restored in time for Australian fishermen to meet China’s lucrative Lunar New Year holiday.

“He reaffirmed the commitment of the [Chinese] Premier and the [Australian] Prime Minister to resolve all of the outstanding lobster issues before Christmas,” Senator Farrell said.

“As far as he’s concerned, everything is moving in the right direction.”

Along with the live lobster trade, two Australian beef abattoirs are all that remains of a trade coercion campaign that once ran to $20bn a year.

The Trade Minister also ­revealed that Chinese abattoir ­inspectors had been in Australia in recent weeks.

“Chinese meat inspectors routinely visit Australian abattoirs. And they’ve recently been in ­Australia,” Senator Farrell told The Australian.

“And I’m hopeful, for those two, the resumption will occur quickly. The minister said he would take a personal interest in the outcome of this.”

Beijing’s readout of the meeting said the two had a “pragmatic and constructive discussion” on ways to deepen the Australia-China economic and trade relationship.

This week, the leadership group of China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress, is meeting in Beijing to discuss a fiscal package to boost the country’s slowing economy.

Canberra and capitals around the world are closely watching the meeting.

Senator Farrell said there were still huge opportunities for Australia, even as China’s rate of ­economic growth slowed.

“Whatever else you might say about the Chinese economy, it’s still growing,” he told The Australian.

“The Chinese economy is worth $18 trillion. Last year it grew by 5 per cent — well that’s an extra trillion dollars.”

Pointing at the famous Shanghai skyline, Senator Farrell added: “You have a look around here.

“This is a thriving city. And thriving cities like high-­quality food and wine. And we’re in a ­perfect position to deliver that.”