- Politicians across the globe are urging millions of people to buy Australian wine this December to stand against Chinese “authoritarian bullying”
- A short video released by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) shows members of parliament from Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the U.S., and the U.K. urging their citizens to buy Australian wine
- The video comes after China slapped hefty tariffs of up to 212 per cent on Australian wine imports
- Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the tariffs are “grossly unfair” and will make trade with China unviable for many Aussie businesses
- China has not responded to the global accusations of bullying
Politicians across the globe are urging millions of people to buy Australian wine this December to stand against Chinese “authoritarian bullying”.
A short video released on Tuesday shows a number of politicians from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) calling on their constituents to buy Aussie wine following the “devastating” tariffs on Australian wine imports revealed by the Chinese government last week.
The IPAC is made up of more than 200 members of parliament representing over 19 countries. These MPs have now banded together to counter China’s aggression against Australia.
#SolidaritywithAustralia
— Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (@ipacglobal) December 1, 2020
🍷🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/u3ksj9v4YD
Released with the hashtag #SolidaritywithAustralia, the video shows IPAC members from New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Germany, and the U.S. touting their local beverages of choice before urging citizens to drink something different this December.
“This December, we are asking you to join us in standing against Xi Jinping’s authoritarian bullying…” Christian Democrat Member of the European Parliament Miriam Lexmann said.
“… by drinking a bottle or two of Australian wine and letting the Chinese Communist Party know that we will not be bullied,” Swedish MP Elizabet Lann continued.
Following the release of the IPAC video, even the U.S. National Security Council (NCS) has come out in support of Australia’s wine industry.
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!
— NSC (@WHNSC) December 1, 2020
In the IPAC video, Victorian Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching said the Chinese government is demanding Australia stops voicing out in defence of human rights and rule-based order.
“This is not just an attack on Australia,” Senator Kitching said, “it’s an attack on free countries everywhere.”
The hefty wine tariffs
In response to a range of grievances against Australia, China has slapped tariffs of up to 212 per cent against Australian wine producers.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the tariffs are enough to render wine trade with China “unviable” for many Aussie businesses.
The tariffs were dubbed as “anti-dumping security deposits” following to a China-led investigation into Australian wine sales overseas.
The Chinese government claims the tariffs are purely the result of the investigation and not because of a souring relationship between the two nations.
However, Trade Minister Birmingham said there is no evidence to back up the
“grossly, grossly unfair” and “unwarranted” tariffs.
The Chinese government has not yet responded to the IPAC accusations of bullying.