China Considers More U.S. Coal Imports to Cut Deficit

  • Plan is part of efforts to narrow trade gap, people say
  • China is world’s top coal buyer; purchases ~3% of U.S. exports

Photographer: George Frey/Bloomberg

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China is considering a plan to buy more American coal as part of an effort to narrow its trade deficit with the U.S., according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Chinese officials are currently looking at boosting purchases from West Virginia in particular, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly. They didn’t say whether Beijing is looking at buying more supplies from other states. A final decision hasn’t been made, they said.