Jun 17, 2015 - Its iron ore imports increased nine-fold between 2000 and 2013. ⢠China's demand for coal-fired generat
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MINERALS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA NEW MCA STUDY SUPPORTS CHINA AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT MINERALS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA Statement from Brendan Pearson, Chief Executive, Minerals Council of Australia The China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), to be formally signed today in Canberra, is a watershed achievement in Australia’s relationship with China. The deal with the world’s largest trading economy marks a new phase in Australia’s relationship with North Asia, building on the recent agreements with Japan and Korea. The MCA applauds the work of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and the negotiating team in completing an outstanding job to secure this outcome. A new study released today by the MCA, China, minerals and energy and the China Australia Free Trade Agreement, examines the economic dividends available from an even closer relationship with the world’s largest trading nation and the nation that last year consumed 50 per cent of the world’s metals. The study, undertaken by Trading Nation, highlights the fact that Chinese imports from Australia already account for more than 5 per cent of the Australian economy. The report dismisses suggestions that a moderation in China’s growth rate will significantly slow demand for Australian resources and energy exports. The report argues that Chinese demand for Australian resources and energy, already worth $80 billion annually, will continue to grow. The authors forecast that the absolute growth of the Chinese economy in the next decade ‘could be twice as great as when its economy was surging during the first decade of the century’. The FTA will deliver early and practical dividends, including the elimination of tariffs that add nearly $600 million in costs to the bilateral minerals and energy trade. The agreement will eliminate the 3 per cent coking coal tariff immediately and the 6 per cent tariff on thermal coal within 2 years. All remaining tariffs on minerals commodities will be eliminated. These apply to a wide range of products including alumina, zinc, nickel, copper and uranium. As the report highlights, the deal will also provide new opportunities for Australia’s mining equipment and technology services (METS) providers in China’s minerals sector. The ChAFTA is a ‘living agreement’ that provides for further rounds of liberalisation as well as review processes to ensure that the gains from the agreement are not circumvented by so called non-tariff barriers. The MCA urges prompt parliamentary consideration of the free trade agreement, noting that the tariffs on coal alone add nearly a burden of $18.5 million per month to Australian export costs. (The tariff reductions and other market opening only occur once the agreement ‘enters into force’ on completion of parliamentary processes in both countries). A one page summary of key findings is attached. The full report is available at http://bit.ly/chAFTA
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Media Contact: Jonathan Hawkes T: 02 6233 0633 or 0434 660 801
E:
[email protected]
W: www.minerals.org.au
D: 17 June 2015
China, minerals and energy and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) Trading Nation Consulting A policy paper commissioned by the Minerals Council of Australia
Summary points China’s significance in the world economy • China’s economy doubled in size between 2005 and 2014, accounting for one third of global economic growth after the Global Financial Crisis. • China is the world’s largest manufacturer and the world’s largest trader, accounting for nearly 18 per cent of exports and nearly 14 per cent of imports. • China is the second largest destination for foreign investment (after the USA) and the third largest source of foreign direct investment (after the USA and Japan).
China’s significance in the global minerals trade • In 2000, China consumed 12 per cent of the world’s metals. By 2014, it consumed half. • By 2014, China’s steel production was equivalent to that of the output of the next 31 steel producers. »» Its iron ore imports increased nine-fold between 2000 and 2013. • China’s demand for coal-fired generation drove more than 80 per cent of the growth in coal production in the period from 2000. • China is the world’s largest importer of coal, copper, aluminium, manganese and iron ore.
China and the Australian economy • Chinese imports from Australia now account for more than 5 per cent of the Australian economy. »» By comparison around 1 per cent of the respective GDP of the USA and European Union is generated by exports to China. • The report concludes that Chinese demand for Australian resources and energy will continue to be robust with the report forecasting that the absolute growth of the Chinese economy in the next decade ‘could be twice as great as when its economy was surging during the first decade of the century’. • China is forecast to invest far more in coal and new technology (High Efficiency Low Emissions) coal-based generation systems than any other country or region in the period to 2035, adding that ‘reports of King Coal’s demise are premature’. • China could account for half of global growth in nuclear generation over the period to 2040, providing opportunities for Australian uranium producers.
ChAFTA and Australia • The agreement will eliminate tariffs that add nearly $600 million in costs to the bilateral minerals and energy trade, including around $380 million to the trade in metallurgical and thermal coal. • The deal will also provide new opportunities for Australia’s mining services sector in China’s minerals sector. • The ChAFTA is a ‘living agreement’ that provides for further rounds of liberalisation as well as review processes to ensure that the gains from the agreement are not circumvented by so called non-tariff barriers.
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