On January 14, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a video talk at the request of Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins. They exchanged views on matters including the global safeguard investigation into beef imports. China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang attended the video call.

Wang noted that the investigation was initiated upon application from the relevant domestic industry, and is in compliance with WTO rules and Chinese laws. He stated that the measures are intended as a temporary response to address difficulties faced by the domestic industry, rather than to restrict normal trade, and expressed China’s willingness to maintain close communication with related stakeholders, including Australia.