Australia says wins China coal tariff exemption in free trade pact

MELBOURNE: Australian coal will be exempt from controversial new import tariffs imposed by China when the two countries sign a free trade pact, Treasurer Joe Hockey said after a meeting in China, although the timing of a deal has yet to be finalised.

Australia and China are trying to seal a free trade agreement (FTA) before the end of this year after nearly 10 years of negotiations, in a bid to boost two-way trade already worth more than A$150 billion ($132 billion).