China restricts coal imports from Australia

In an unofficial ban on Australian coal, Chinese customs authorities reportedly directed state-owned steelmakers and power plants to stop imports of Australian coal. At the same time, some regions of China were facing winter power shortages.

Further reading:

1. 1. Is Australia too dumb and too China-dependent?
   2. An all-out trade war with China would cost Australia 6% of GDP
   3. If China stops taking Australia’s coal, will other countries fill the gap?
   4. Hopes of an improvement in Australia-China relations dashed as Beijing ups the ante