China trade accord unlikely to aid Aussie producers: survey

Sydney

A MAJORITY of Australian manufacturers expect the scrapping of tariffs on Chinese imports under a free-trade deal would hurt them, a survey by the Australian Industry Group (AIG) showed.

Just over half of 160 companies replied it would "negatively affect their business," Innes Willox, AIG's chief executive officer, said. "Reflecting the lack of transparency of the FTA negotiations with China, about a fifth of respondents are uncertain."