China's reported ban on Australian coal escalates dispute beyond mere nuisance

LAUNCESTON/BEIJING, Oct 13 (Reuters) - China has reportedly told coal traders and users to stop imports from Australia with immediate effect in a move that would choke a major trade channel for both countries, a major escalation of political tensions between the pair.

Commodity price reporting agencies S&P Global Platts and Argus, as well as other media outlets, reported in recent days hearing from unnamed sources that Beijing had given "verbal" instructions to some steel mills, power companies and coal traders to halt imports from Australia.