China to Resume Australian Lobster Imports

By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) – China will resume imports of Australian lobster by year-end, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday. This marks the end of a four-year diplomatic conflict that saw tens of billions of dollars of Australian exports barred from China.

Albanese indicated that he agreed on the timeline to resume full lobster trade during discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Laos.

> "This, of course, will be in time for Chinese New Year and this will be welcomed by the people engaged in the live lobster industry in places like Geraldton, South Australia, and Tasmania, and so many parts of particularly regional Australia," Albanese remarked.

China initially imposed unofficial bans and tariffs on Australian products—including coal, wine, and rock lobster—in late 2020, following increased tensions that began when Canberra called for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

Prior to Thursday's announcement, all restrictions except for lobster had been lifted as relations between the two major trading partners improved.

Although China’s foreign ministry did not comment on the ban's removal, a spokesperson indicated the country was willing to engage in dialogue with Australia to address mutual concerns.