Australian exporters urge Morrison government to take China to world trade umpire

Additional sanctions are rumours, Simon Birmingham says, but the China Daily warns of further economic pain if Australia is hostile to Beijing

A major Australian business group has called on the Morrison government to take China to the world trade umpire, saying attempted talks have failed to resolve the widening dispute with Australia's largest trading partner.

As seven export sectors braced for potential trade bans, and with ministerial level contact still frozen, the Australian Industry Group told Guardian Australia businesses would have no choice but to look for other markets if China continues to turn its back on Australian goods and services".