Australia's trade minister has described as deeply disappointing China's decision to place tariffs of around 80 per cent on Australian barley in a dispute that has been linked to Australian support for a coronavirus inquiry.
The tariffs that take effect Tuesday come a week after China banned beef imports from Australia's four largest abattoirs over labelling issues.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham rejects China's claim that barley is subsidised by the Australian government.
Birmingham also says Australia could appeal to the World Trade Organisation to resolve both the beef and barley disputes.
Birmingham said he has tried without success to speak to his Chinese counterpart Zhong Shan for the past week.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian says China is looking into trade issues between the sides in accordance with related laws and World Trade Organisation rules.
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Australian barley farmer Andrew Weidemann says the tariff barrier stops the trade completely with Australia's biggest customer.
Weidemann estimates the tariffs will cost the Australian economy more than 500 million Australian dollars (USD 326 million).
He says China has been investigating Australian barley for 18 months, but Australia's call for a coronavirus inquiry didn't help.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region,