Essential Report
Chinese Barley Tariffs
Q. Last week the Chinese government imposed tariffs on Australian barley exports, costing farmers millions of dollars through lost revenue. To what extent do you agree or disagree about the following statements about international trade with China?
NET: Agree | NET: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree, nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | Unsure | |
The Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 66% | 9% | 44% | 22% | 14% | 5% | 4% | 11% |
The Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 57% | 15% | 36% | 20% | 16% | 7% | 7% | 13% |
The Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China | 53% | 17% | 28% | 25% | 19% | 11% | 7% | 11% |
Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation | 48% | 22% | 27% | 21% | 19% | 14% | 7% | 12% |
Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions | 47% | 23% | 20% | 27% | 19% | 12% | 11% | 11% |
NET: Agree | Age Group | Age Group | ||||||
Total | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | NET: Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | |
The Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 66% | 52% | 66% | 78% | 60% | 76% | 59% | 69% |
The Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 57% | 46% | 57% | 65% | 59% | 66% | 47% | 52% |
The Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China | 53% | 49% | 51% | 57% | 58% | 57% | 52% | 36% |
Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation | 48% | 39% | 50% | 53% | 46% | 54% | 42% | 52% |
Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions | 47% | 38% | 48% | 54% | 51% | 52% | 42% | 35% |
Base (n) | 1,087 | 341 | 364 | 382 | 323 | 428 | 100 | 120 |
- Two-thirds (66%) of participants agree the Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19.
- More than half of participants agree the Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 (57%) or the Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China (53%).
- Less than half of participants agree that Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation (48%) or Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions (47%).
- Coalition voters are most likely to agree that the government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 (76%); while Labor (60%) and Greens (59%) voters are less likely to agree.

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