Australia trade set to get boost with tariff cuts

Up to 98.5 percent of Chinese products exported to Australia will enjoy zero tariffs, after the two countries implemented the third round of tariff cuts on Janu 1 under a bilateral free trade agreement, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Ministry spokesman Sun Jiwen said China's automobile parts, home appliances, steel and garment products and Australia's agricultural and dairy products such as mutton, beef, fruit, wine and cheese would be major beneficiaries of the deal.

"Even though the free trade deal only came into force in December 2015, it has had positive effect on bilateral trade," Sun said.