 | | There is no chance of China joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the trade pact formerly known as TPP, Australia's trade minister told Nikkei in an interview.
"I don't believe there's any prospect that China could join," said Don Farrell, pointing to the high tariffs China imposed on Australian barley following a call from Canberra to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak. China later added levies and restrictions on a host of other products -- from wine to crayfish to coal.
Farrell said that to be allowed accession to the CPTPP, countries "have to meet all their obligations," suggesting it would be necessary to see whether China was willing to abide by fair trade rules. Since that is not occurring now, he said, he sees no chance of China joining the CPTPP.
Yet he signaled flexibility to bilateral talks with Beijing toward resolving their issues.
"A full resumption of Australian exports," Farrell said, "would benefit both countries." Read more.
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