A Chinese move to block an Australian critical minerals shipment bound for a US defence supplier has heightened the battle to shore up Western supply chains.
The shipment of 55 tonnes of antimony concentrate mined in Victoria was held up for three months at the port of Ningbo in Zhejiang Province. It was only released by Chinese authorities on the condition it was returned to Australia, rather than being sent on to New York-listed US Antimony Corporation.
Shadow Resources Minister Susan McDonald says the interception raises concerns about Australia’s ability to guarantee supply to America.
“During the election campaign, the Labor Government promised that they had ‘begun talks’ with the United States to secure a critical minerals deal – after three years of inaction,” Senator McDonald said.
“Four months later, we are no closer to a deal with the US, there is no policy detail, and thanks to the weakness of the Prime Minister, we now cannot even guarantee the delivery of existing shipments, as this latest turned-back cargo of antimony proves.”
She added: “It is time for Labor to explain why they cannot guarantee supply of our defence minerals to our partners, why they cannot secure a critical minerals deal with the United States, and why the Prime Minister still cannot secure a meeting with President (Donald) Trump.”