Guangzhou port unable to accept new coal cargoes

GUANGZHOU port, the largest coal transport hub in southern China, said Thursday that its storage facilities are currently unable to accept new coal cargoes.

Bad weather in recent weeks has led to a backlog of cargoes, a Guangzhou Port Co. official said, with storage facilities almost full. “We have had three typhoons since the end of August and lots of rain in recent weeks, said the official. Guangzhou port, with 14 coal berths and capacity to handle 60 million tons of shipments per year, had halted operations including foreign coal imports.

Mexico signs e-commerce deal with Alibaba

MEXICO’S government said Wednesday it has inked a deal with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to get Mexican products and services, especially from small and medium-sized firms, onto the top Chinese e-commerce firm’s platform.

The deal comes as Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto wraps up a trip to China to discuss trade and investment, as part of a strategy to diversify and open new markets for his country’s products. During Pena Nieto’s trip, Wang Shouwen, China’s vice trade minister, said China was interested in possibly establishing a free trade agreement with Mexico.

US starts probe into steel flanges from China

THE U.S. Department of Commerce on Wednesday said it began an investigation into possible dumping and subsidization of stainless steel flanges from China and India.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the trade action in a statement, saying: “The Department will act swiftly, while assuring a full and fair assessment of the facts, to ensure that everyone trades on a level playing field.” In 2016 imports of stainless steel flanges from China and India were valued at an estimated US$16.3 million and US$32.1 million, respectively, the statement said.

ABPA to fight China chicken antidumping case

A BRAZILIAN association representing chicken and pork producers Wednesday named two legal firms to fight an antidumping case made by China in August against Brazilian chicken imports that could last several years.

ABPA, as the association is known, said it hired MPA Trade Law, in Brazil, and Hylands Law, in China, to defend it in the case. The association also said each of the 27 companies involved in the proceedings would hire legal representation separately, without elaborating.