It appears Australian coal isn’t about to have its recently imposed Chinese tariffs removed. From the AFR:
Australia is preparing to sign a staged trade agreement with China to enable Prime Minister Tony Abbott to meet his self-imposed deadline while leaving more time to resolve disputed issues.
Senior sources told The Australian Financial Review that while the deal, to be signed in Canberra on Monday, would be “comprehensive” and “landmark”, it would be structured so as to enable additions over the years “as our relationship and our economies evolve”.
“We shouldn’t hold up the win-win benefits this year for the tough stuff,’’ one person familiar with negotiations said.
The source said the initial agreement would comprehensively cover services and agriculture and some aspects of foreign investment, while being less accommodating of Chinese labour demands.
Absolutely no mention of coal tariffs anywhere. Could be punishment for acceding to the US on blocking the new Chinese regional development bank.
Can’t say I mind terribly but it’s a political problem for Mr Coal is it proves true.
