Kayakers paddle past the Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour, on Sept. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

       SIDNEY (Kyodo) -- Australia will consider Taiwan's application to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal "on a consensus basis" with other member countries, Trade Minister Dan Tehan said Thursday.

       But Tehan said in a statement that Taiwan's application would require Australia to have senior-level engagement with Taiwan to ensure consistency with the "one-China" policy that Canberra has long established, showing some consideration of China.

       The minister has previously stated that Australia will not enter into negotiations on China's possible participation in the deal unless Beijing drops retaliatory tariffs on Australian goods and resumes ministerial level communications between Canberra and Beijing.

       Australia has filed multiple complaints against China with the WTO over Beijing's imposition of tariffs on Australian barley and wine exports. But trade negotiations remain at a standstill, with China so far declining invitations to resolve the disputes directly.

       The relationship between the two nations has become increasingly strained following Australia's calls early last year for an independent review into the origins of the novel coronavirus.

       To join the free trade deal known formally as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, both China and Taiwan will need the unanimous approval of all 11 member countries -- Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

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