China tensions: PM wants global trade umpire to intervene over wine row

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia will ask the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to intervene in the wine tariff trade row with China.

The Federal Government has previously said it was considering taking the dispute over Chinese tariffs on Australian wines to the WTO. It has already brought action at the global trade umpire over Beijing's barley tariffs.

"Barley producers in Australia, wine-growers in Australia, have been targeted with trade sanctions that we believe are completely unconscionable," Mr Morrison told 6PR radio.

READ MORE: 'There is a lot at stake': PM sounds warning ahead of G7 summit

"And we are seeking to take those up in the World Trade Organisation to see them resolved there."

Nine.com.au has asked the Prime Minister's Office for further details on the WTO action.

China imposed trade sanctions against Australian exporters after relations between Beijing and Canberra plummeted over the last year.

Exports including coal, barley, beef, lobster and timber were hit with tariffs and other punitive measures.

Earlier this year, China extended tariffs on Australia wine exports for another five years.

Chinese officials said the taxes - expected to be up to 220 per cent - were anti-dumping measures.

READ MORE: US trade strike force to counter China

Mr Morrison had flagged a beefed-up WTO earlier this week before he headed to the UK for this week's G7 leaders summit.

He said he will be seeking support from other western nations to counter what he called "economic coercion".

Australia announced last December that it was taking China to the WTO over barley tariffs after Beijing slapped duties of 80 per cent on the grain.