They can stop exporting only temporarily because neither the exporters or importers can afford to do without that trade for long. For China those are major producers so little alternative remains and for the producers China is to large a market to do without.

They are using the stoppage as an argument for China to buy ferrochrome instead and accept that these producers will process locally. That is the same as Ontario and our locals want to do with the Ring's chromite, so such action is of no surprise. What is surprising is that China was able to import ore up to this time.

This is good news for all chromite holders in the Ring. Yes even for Cliffs because it means that their argument falls by the wayside and infrastructure from Ontario will arrive sooner.