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How Australia’s trade with China became a political weapon – Monday on FOUR CORNERS

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Over the last twelve months, China has launched a wave of trade sanctions against Australia.

Industry after industry has been hit with a range of punishing measures, from massive new taxes to import restrictions.

As a result, many Australian products have effectively been banned from entering China, leaving the businesses that rely on this trade in peril.

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“I feel like we are just a pawn in their political game.”  Winemaker, South Australia

“We’re all in survival mode. We’re doing the best we can. That’s all we can do.”  Lobster fisherman, Tasmania

On Monday Four Corners investigates what’s behind China’s trade war with Australia.

“They’re strategically picking off Australia where it has the least impact on their economy.”   Grain grower, WA

The call by Australia for an independent review into the causes of the COVID-19 outbreak in China is often cited as the trigger. But as Four Corners demonstrates, this conflict is being driven by a far wider array of concerns.

“The intent is for China to change Australian policy including on issues of the South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Huawei, and foreign interference.”  Economist

Four Corners reveals how the trade sanctions appear to have been carefully timed and targeted again and again to cause maximum damage.

“To wait until after…a lot of the Australian barley crop was planted, was it strategic? I would think so.”  Grain grower, WA 

Travelling from the barley fields of WA’s salt lake country to the lobster trawlers of Hobart, Four Corners shows the human and financial cost of the ongoing dispute.

“The market’s actually dropped to zero.  We’ve got to find a new home for $1.1 billion worth of wine.”  Wine industry spokesman, South Australia

“It’s terrible. I lease the boat, I’ve got a crew to look after, we’ve got three families that live off my family business and at the moment I don’t see a future for us.”  Lobster fisherman  

Despite the hardship, some of those hurting the most say Australia has no choice but to hold firm.

“Unfortunately, I think for our democracy, for our way of life, for everything that we hold dear to ourselves about Australia.   Whether it is China or another country, I think Australia needs to stand up for itself.”  Seafood processor

Poking the Dragon, reported by Stephen Long, goes to air on Monday 26th April at 8.30pm.

It is replayed on Tuesday 27th April at 1.00pm and Wednesday 28th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners. 

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Comments

2 COMMENTS

  1. The Children’s channel of Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which broadcasts a five year old British television programme, has sparked outrage among Chinese in Australia. The show, in which a white woman dressed as Wu Zetian, a famous empress in Chinese history, continues to dramatize the eating of cockroaches, bamboo rats and other ‘delicacies’ , is a deliberate attempt to vilify the Chinese people.

  2. Please think about the original appearance of the Trade War,and how did the conflict come from? what if disrupting the global economy?

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