Bottoms up for Oz wine industry

Sydney – Australia’s global allies voiced support for the country’s beleaguered wine industry, vowing to down a glass to lessen the impact of choking Chinese sanctions.

China last Friday announced it would impose anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine – the latest salvo in a barrage of trade sanctions that critics say are politically motivated.

In response, supporters – including Taiwan and the United States – pledged to buy Australian wine, now subject to tariffs of up to 212% in China.

“We stand in solidarity with #Australia by serving #FreedomWine,” Taiwan’s ministry of foreign affairs said in a tweet.

In Washington, the National Security Council said: “Australian wine will be featured at a White House holiday reception this week.

Pity vino lovers in China who, due to Beijing’s coercive tariffs on Aussie vintners, will miss out. #AussieAussieAussieOiOiOi!”

Already strained Chinarelations have worsened since Canberra called for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 after its emergence in Wuhan, central China.

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