Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says Australia is not in a trade war with China, and will not retaliate after the economic superpower confirmed it would set an 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley, effectively crippling exports to the lucrative Chinese market. The tariffs, based on claims Australia subsidised its farmers and sold barley into China below the cost of production, were flagged earlier this month and confirmed overnight. They effectively put an end to barley trade with China — Australian barley growers' most lucrative market — which in 2018 was worth $1.5 billion. Mr Littleproud said he ... (full story)