China Issues Another Warning To Australia. Slaps New Customs Rules On Australian Iron-Ore

Daily Mail: 'This is a warning': China issues ANOTHER threat as it announces new checks on Australia's iron ore as trade tensions escalate again after Canberra backed COVID-19 probe

* China has changed customs rules to make iron-ore easier and quicker to import
* But analysts said Australian exporters could be targeted for extra checks
* Last week China put an 80% tariff on barley and banned some Aussie beef
* Trade tensions have been increasing over Australia's call for COVID inquiry
* Trade Minister told Daily Mail Australia he welcomes the changes

China has issued another warning to Australia by opening the door to new checks on Australian iron ore in an escalating trade row overshadowed by coronavirus.

Beijing's latest move comes after China banned Australian beef and slapped a tax on barley in the wake of Canberra's calls for an inquiry into the pandemic.

The new Chinese customs rules mean that Australia's $63billion (£34billion) iron ore exports could be singled out for extra checks, analysts say.

Instead of mandatory inspections, China will now carry out optional checks at the request of the importer - meaning Australia's competitors could be given priority.

China's retaliation has sparked fears of a global trade war involving other countries who backed an inquiry, including Britain, although Beijing claims the changes are nothing to do with coronavirus.

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Update: China amends inspections of iron ore imports as trade tensions with Australia rise -- Global Times

WNU Editor: Australian officials are trying to see a silver lining in these changes .... Australia relaxed over China's changes to iron ore export rules, but war of words goes on (The Guardian). More here .... Australia reassures on China iron ore processing changes (Reuters). The Australians should be concerned. These changes may look like it is streamlining the rules, but I am willing to bet that China will be using these changes to make it easier for them to hinder Australian ore.