Supply Chain Research

Australian trade expanded for an 11th straight month in August, led by a 17% jump in exports. That was the result of a 34% leap in shipments to China, and resulted in a trade surplus that was 16% higher than economists expected. Most of the export boom has been driven by sales of coal (60% higher in the past quarter on a year earlier) and natural gas (69% higher), assisted by metal ores (up by 12%). The three areas combined accounted for 79% of the expansion in exports. Once this boom dies down trade will need to be diversified. That will make trade deals – such as the Trans-Pacific Part...