https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/untrue-confusion-over-china-s-reported-ban-...





Mark Wembridge, John Kehoe, Andrew Tillett and Jessica Sier

Updated Oct 1, 2025 – 4.34pm,

first published at 4.28am


Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on China and BHP to resolve their iron ore dispute, urging a swift conclusion to hardball negotiations in a deal that jeopardises an estimated 3.5 per cent of Australia’s total exports.

China has temporarily banned purchases of the mining giant’s iron ore shipped from Western Australia’s Pilbara region, according to media reports, in a display of brinkmanship involving contracts covering the next 12 months.

China Mineral Resources Group, China’s state-run buyer for iron ore, has ordered the freeze on BHP shipments after negotiations stalled, according to a Bloomberg report.

Iron ore accounts for one-fifth of Australia’s total exports, and China is by far the world’s biggest buyer of the steelmaking ingredient.

Although BHP does not publish figures, the miner’s iron ore exports from Australia to China are estimated at $23 billion a year, or 3.5 per cent of the nation’s $660 billion total of goods and services exports.


Any reduction in demand from China for iron ore would have a knock-on effect on royalties and taxes flowing into government coffers.

“I am concerned about that, and what we want to make sure is that markets operate properly,” said Albanese.

“We have seen those issues in the past. I want to see Australian iron ore be able to be exported into China without hindrance. That is important. It makes a major contribution to China’s economy, but also to Australia’s.

“These measures are always disappointing, but let’s hope that they are very much short-term.

The Chinks want cheaper iron ore -

they are using their market power to bully us.

Carl D wrote on Oct 1^st, 2025 at 6:03pm:



We rely on China for our standard of living.

Don't think Iron Ore Albo should be sticking his nose in and demanding BHP solve this. It's a business decision and China is obviously low balling them. More economic bullying from China and this will not be the last time.

Belgarion wrote on Oct 1^st, 2025 at 8:48pm:



We can't make stuff as cheap as China can -

if we made it - it would cost 5 to 10 x the price.