Iron ore imports by China, the largest buyer, surged 22 percent in December to the second- highest on record, strengthening the ability of BHP Billiton Ltd., Rio Tinto Group and Vale SA to ask for higher prices. Imports reached 62.2 million metric tons, compared with 51.1 million tons in November, according to customs data yesterday. Shipments jumped 80 percent from a year ago.
展开▼
