Australia to 'vigorously defend' wine industry from China tariffs: Minister

Sydney: Australia will "vigorously defend" its multi-billion-dollar wine industry from new punitive Chinese tariffs, its agriculture minister said Friday, raising the threat of countermeasures through the World Trade Organisation.

"The Australian government will vigorously defend the industry," David Littleproud said. "Obviously we'll exhaust all avenues available to us through the WTO."