Russia continuing talks with China on latter lifting import duties on coal - Deputy PM Novak

MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax) - The matter of China lifting its import duties on coal is still under discussion, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.

"The matter remains under discussion. We have been discussing canceling those introduced [not reducing the duties] during the talks," Novak said.

China in 2024 reinstated the previously canceled duties on coal imports. The duties are 3%-6%, depending on the type of coal. The duties do not apply to Australia and Indonesia, which are protected by a free trade agreement.

Russia produced 443.5 million tonnes of coal and exported 196.2 million tonnes of coal in 2024, Novak said, citing data in his column for the Energy Policy publication. Russia produced 438 million tonnes of coal and exported 213 million tonnes of coal in 2023.

Information on deliveries to individual countries is not disclosed, though China and India are among the main export destinations for Russian coal.