The Australian government is suggesting coal imports from Australia are likely to be exempt from China’s recently-launched new import tariffs, reports from Beijing says.
Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey has made the statement following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, saying the tariffs are to be eliminated under the soon-to-be signed free trade pact between the two countries.
Australia and China are trying to seal a free trade agreement before the end of this year after nearly 10 years of negotiations.
Earlier this month, China imposed a 3 percent tariff on coal used in steel mills and 6 percent tariff on coal used in power stations in a bid to curb air pollution in the Pearl River Delta and Yangzte River Delta regions.
The tariffs would hit Australian miners the hardest, with China currently importing some 8 billion US dollars worth of Australia coal a year.
Earlier this month, China imposed a 3 percent tariff on coal used in steel mills and 6 percent tariff on coal used in power stations in a bid to curb air pollution in the Pearl River Delta and Yangzte River Delta regions.
