Will China’s trade war torpedo the Rio, Fortescue and BHP share prices?

As Australia emerges from its hard-fought battle to contain COVID-19, the last thing the nation needs is a trade war with its largest export market.

Yet China, whose own economic growth has slowed in the wake of the pandemic, appears intent on making an example of Australia. Even if that comes at a cost to its own economy.

Why?

As the Australian Financial Review reports:

China has intensified punishment against Australia because of the Morrison government leading calls for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic as well as criticism of China’s human rights record and militarisation of the South China Sea and banning of Chinese tech company Huawei.

Aussie coal off the China menu

Since November, China has slapped…