Cut imports from ‘arrogant’ Australia: China’s Global Times

A Chinese state media outlet says Beijing should cut imports from Australia in order to make trade concessions to the United States.

The Global Times says Beijing should cut imports from "arrogant" Australia.

A Chinese state media outlet known for its exaggerated threats has said Beijing should cut imports from “arrogant” Australia in order to make trade concessions to the United States.

The US and China are in the middle of complex trade talks after US President Donald Trump demanded the country cut its trade deficit.

At the same time Australia is attempting to patch up tensions with China. Yesterday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed Australia for causing the tensions in relations between Canberra and Beijing, in a statement issued after a meeting with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Ms Bishop said the meeting was “warm” and “friendly”.

Now, the Global Times, which some analysts say is used by the government to spread dramatic statements in the foreign media, has said China should “leave Australia hanging for a while”.

“China does not have to throw away Sino-Australia relations. China just needs to slow their relationship for a period,” the Global Times editorial said

The paper’s editorial said in order to implement the China-US trade agreement Beijing should cut a few imports from Australia.

“Metal ore is Australia’s major export to China. As long as China is in need of the metal exports, and a replacement remains difficult to find, they will continue to import them.”

“But when it comes to wine and beef, China can easily import those items from the US, replacing Australia.”

The paper’s editorial said the scope of import reductions could be “limited”.

“Last year, Australia exported $76.45 billion in goods to China.”

“Lowering Aussie exports by $6.45 billion would send cold chills up and down the spine of Australia. Of course, it would be an even greater shock if the import reductions totalled $10 billion.”

Julie Bishop with China Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Asked about the divergence in statements between Mr Wang and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop after their meeting in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20, Liberal MP Alex Hawke said Australians should trust her account over that of a foreign country’s minister.

“We want to believe our foreign minister’s account ... I don’t think we want to listen to the foreign ministry of other countries, regardless what country they are,” he told Sky News.