According to Chinese state media, China will place a sweeping trade ban on a growing list of Australian imports, set to take effect this week. Its total worth is some $4 billion.
The ban includes Australian commodities such as sugar, timber, and copper among other goods.
Chinese officials have denied that the trade blockages are a retaliatory attack against Australia’s criticism of Beijing. But just a few months ago, Beijing threatened Australia with import bans.
In April, Australia pursued an independent investigation into the origins of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus in China. Soon after, China’s ambassador to Australia said that if they do so, Chinese consumers might begin boycotting Australian imports.
China’s Foreign Ministry also told Reuters, “Relevant companies reducing imports of relevant products from Australia are acting on their own initiative.”
But according to the South China Morning Post, last month Chinese officials gave verbal instructions to Chinese industrial companies to stop importing Australian goods.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation also reported that Chinese importers had received orders from the CCP’s Ministry of Commerce to stop importing Australian goods in an “off-the-record” meeting.
Australia’s former treasurer Joe Hockey accused China of using its economic power to “bully” Australia, in an interview with Bloomberg on Nov. 3. He warned, “Bullying never works with Australia.”
