World News | China Blocks Australian Supplier's Barley Amid Trade Spats

Beijing, Sep 1 (AP) China suspended barley imports from an Australian supplier on Tuesday amid spreading trade disputes between the two sides.

Shipments from CBH Grain Pty Ltd. were found to be contaminated by pests, the customs agency announced.

Also Read | Japan’s Next PM: Yoshihide Suga, Backed by Key Faction of Ruling LDP, Emerges as Frontrunner to Succeed Shinzo Abe.

Chinese authorities have told Australia “to improve its plant export quarantine supervision system,” the customs agency said on its social media account.

Beijing is angry at Australia for supporting calls for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic, which began in central China in December.

Also Read | Jared Kushner Visits US Air Base in Abu Dhabi as Part of Israel-UAE Trip.

The two governments also are embroiled in an argument about trade rules.

Beijing imposed an 80% tariff in May on imports of Australian barley, which it says are improperly subsidized, an accusation the Australian government rejects.

China last week announced an investigation into whether Australian wine was being exported at improperly low prices, which Australia's government denies. A similar probe of possible subsidies was announced Monday. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)