Australia Proposes to Eliminate Nearly 500 'Nuisance' Tariffs
Australia is proposing to eliminate nearly 500 tariffs that it said are a "nuisance" for Australian companies, including duties on tires, televisions, wine glasses, air conditioners and more, the country’s trade ministry said Aug. 28. The country said it’s accepting public comments on the proposed list of tariffs by Dec. 10, and it plans to publish a “full and final list of agreed tariffs for removal” soon after.
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The ministry said the announcement builds on the government’s removal of 457 tariffs last year, part of an effort to “cut red tape, ease the compliance burden on businesses and boost productivity.” It added that tariffs increase compliance costs for businesses and raise prices for citizens. Jim Chalmers, Australia’s treasurer, said during a press conference that the reduced duties will benefit billions of dollars worth of trade and save Australian businesses millions of dollars in compliance costs.
“While other nations are putting up trade barriers, we’re tearing them down,” the ministry said. “We’re abolishing more tariffs because we recognise their removal will deliver benefits to Australian businesses.”
The ministry also said it plans to move responsibility for Australian safeguards actions from the Productivity Commission to the Antidumping Commission, which will “bring together responsibility for all trade remedy measures within the” Antidumping Commission, allowing for “better harmonisation of actions to support Australian manufacturers and consumers.”