China has launched three simultaneous WTO actions against Australia, arguing that tariffs implemented on Chinese railway wheels, wind towers, and stainless-steel sinks were excessive. The move has been described as “petty” by the Australian finance minister and follows World Trade Organisation (WTO) actions by the federal government against Chinese tariffs slapped on wine and barley exports. The Chinese authorities launched the actions on June 24, complaining about Australian tariffs implemented on wind tower imports in 2014 (valued at 10.9 percent), railway wheels in 2015 (17.4 percent), and stainless-steel sinks in 2019 (60.2 percent). The railway wheel tariffs also apply to French imports. “The measures vary, but we believe they are justified,” Trade Minister Dan Tehan told reporters in Canberra in response to the action. “Obviously, China has the right to take this action, but we will vigorously defend the duties that we have put in place,” he added. “Why have …