China Tells

路透社消息，据中钢协透露，中钢协将在10天之内与一家国际知名的铁矿公司达成长期价格协议。此长期价格将在现有基础上削减超过33%，超过了力拓公司所能承受的降价幅度。

(Reuters) China is seeking to cut annual iron ore prices by more than 33 percent and a deal with major global miners is likely in around 10 days, the vice head of China’s top negotiator was quoted as saying on Thursday.

“It’s impossible for China to accept the 33 percent price (cut)… You will see an outcome in around 10 days,” Li Xiaowei, vice chairman of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) was quoted as saying by Dow Jones.

“Supply and demand rely on each other like teeth and lips. Those who only chase monopoly and windfalls will eventually lose more,” the report quoted Li as telling reporters on the sidelines of a local investment forum.

Sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters earlier this month that some major Chinese steel mills have agreed to a 33 percent price cut in iron ore with Rio Tinto (RIO.L) (RIO.AX) and BHP Billiton (BHP.AX) (BLT.L), but said that there would would be no formal announcement.

CISA, China’s lead negotiatior for this year’s iron ore talks, was not immediately available for comment.

China, the world’s largest iron ore buyer, has balked at the 33 percent price reduction that Japan and South Korean mills have agreed, arguing that it wants a deeper 40-45 percent cut to take term prices back to 2007 levels.

The marathon negotiations, which missed their June 30 deadline, took a fresh turn this month after China detained four sales officials of Rio Tinto over allegations of stealing state secrets during this year’s iron ore talks.