Australia’s long-running wine dispute with China is going to the next stage at the World Trade Organization (WTO), as part of the process to try and end the problem.

Having initially taken the dispute to the WTO in June, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan said Australia has requested the WTO establish a dispute settlement panel to adjudicate anti-dumping duties imposed on Australian wine by China.

“Australia supports the rules-based trading system and this is the next stage of the WTO dispute resolution process following consultation between Australia and China,” Minister Tehan said.

“Australia remains ready to resolve this matter directly through discussions with China.

“We will continue to stand up for the rights of Australian exporters.”

The initial decision to commence the dispute resolution process at the WTO was taken following extensive consultation with Australia’s winemakers.

Minister Tehan said at the time: “The Australian Government would like to thank Australia’s wine makers for their constructive engagement on this issue and their continued cooperation.

“The Government will continue to vigorously defend the interests of Australian wine makers using the established system in the WTO to resolve our differences.”

China imposed the ‘anti-dumping’ tariffs on Australian wine in November last year after China’s Ministry of Commerce said it had conducted an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into Australian wine.