A new report released by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) on Wednesday urges Australia to take action on China’s coal export bans to avoid similar future attacks on Australia’s iron ore trade. “In the event that an iron ore glut emerges over coming years, Australian miners could be susceptible to the same kind of discriminatory action that China has taken against Australian coal,” the report (pdf) said. “Australia could make it more difficult for China to take such a step by taking action now against China over its ban on Australian coal.” Since Australia’s May budget, the iron ore price has reached a record high of about $US230/ tonne and then collapsed to below $US100/ tonne as Beijing suppressed its steel industry to rein in the price. Report author David Uren, a specialist in international economic relations, argued that WTO rules, although being flouted by China, remain Australia’s “best and only defence.” “Although …