Several Australian Government Ministers — including the former Trade Minister Simon Birmingham — have repeatedly tried to contact their Chinese counterparts, but have been ignored.
Mr Tehan — who took over the Trade portfolio in December — said he wrote to China's new Commerce Minister Wang Wentao because the turnover might offer an opportunity to break the impasse.
Mr Tehan would not say whether he pressed the new minister to stop blocking Australian goods, saying only that it was a "detailed letter setting out a strong willingness to engage with China on many issues.".
Mr Tehan stressed the Government was focussed on settling the coal dispute bilaterally but didn't rule out future action, saying "if we think there is a case to take to the WTO and that might help resolve the issue — obviously that is something we will look at.".
Mr Tehan said he was confident both countries could work together on climate policy, but said Australia "wouldn't want to see, and will be working actively to ensure we don't see, carbon tariffs used as a new form of protectionism."
"We want to make sure the engagement on climate change and meeting emission reduction targets is done in way which is constructive for global free trade and is constructive for the trade investment relationships between nations," Mr Tehan said
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