China to restart Aussie lobster trade in major breakthrough

Australia has cleared the final hurdle in its $20 billion trade dispute with China, with Beijing moving to lift import restrictions on rock lobsters in a major foreign policy victory for Anthony Albanese. Chinese Premier Li Qiang confirmed the decision in talks with the prime minister on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos on Thursday, ending four years of coercive trade restrictions that affected Australian agricultural exports including of barley, wine and beef. The bans were imposed by China after the Morrison government pushed for an independent inquiry into the source of the coronavirus pandemic. They have badly hurt producers and dogged Labor as it moved to stabilise relations with Beijing. Rock lobster exports to China were worth about $800 million annually. About 3000 people work in the industry. Mr Albanese said the timeline for imports to restart before the end of the year meant Australian rock lobsters – including from Western Australia, Tasmania and South ...