Labor frontbencher dismisses link between trade tensions with China and COVID probe

Shadow Trade Minister Madeleine King says Labor continues to support a probe into the origins of the coronavirus but does not believe the investigation is linked with Australia’s escalating trade tensions with China. China has suspended exports from four Australian abattoirs just days after threatening to impost significant tariffs on barley exports, with accusations being made the move is retaliation for Australia pushing for a COVID probe. Ms King told Sky News the barley investigation had been ongoing for 18 months and it was “important to take the statements form Chinese government and their spokespeople on their face value”. “China is entitled to use the rules of the world trade organisation,” she said. “We do have to respect the official statements from the Chinese government as we would hope the government respect the official views from our government, and that’s how nation-to-nation relationships are to be maintained.” Image: AP