Morrison: China coal ban would breach WTO rules

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday that China would be in breach of World Tre Organization (WTO) rules as well as a bilateral free tre agreement if it banned Australian coal.Scott Morrison was responding to a report in Chinese state-owned Global Times newspaper that Chinese National Development and Reform Commission h given power plants approval to import coal without restrictions, except for Australian coal.

Morrison said he was treating report as "media speculation" because Chinese government h yet to clarify its position. Coal and iron ore are Australia's most lucrative exports. But a range of products appear to have suffered due to deteriorating bilateral relations since Australia called for an independent inquiry into coronavirus pandemic.

Australian Tre Minister Simon Birmingham said Australia was close to finalizing a complaint to World Tre Organization over Chinese tariffs imposed on barley and also commented on Tuesday on reports emanating from State-owned Chinese newspapers with regards to Australian coal.

(Im Credit: AP)