Australian Prime Minister Albanese begins visit to China on Saturday
First visit by an Australian prime minister since 2016
China put 218 tax on Australian wine in 2021 as ties worsened
Both sides have agreed to review tariffs, including for wine
Australian wine could return to the China market early next year if punitive tariffs removed

News that punitive tariffs on Australian wine introduced by China in 2021 would be reviewed as part of a push to improve the relationship between the two countries was cheered by many, including Campbell Thompson.

The Beijingbased Australian CEO of wine importer and distributor The Wine Republic has spent more than a decade making his living from bringing wine, much of it from Australia, into the China market.

We are looking forward to the tariffs being removed. I think for Australia there is definitely an opportunity, he said.

Late last month, as ties between Beijing and Canberra improved, the two sides announced they had reached a consensus to settle a World Trade Organisation dispute about wine and that antidumping tariffs, which weren39;t set to expire until 2026, would be reviewed.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese kicks off a visit to China on Saturday, the first visit by a sitting Australian leader since 2016 as the trading partners continue to work on stabilising ties.

The introduction of a 218 tax on most Australian wine introduced by China early in 2021 prompted that trade, previously valued as high as 1.2…