Referencing a media report of the news, Macquarie Research analysts said in a note to clients the increase is close to $15 per tonne higher than current tariffs.

Macquarie Research predicted that a tariff hike would significantly affect the competitiveness of US coal, “which is already at the high end of the international cost curve”

The analysts cited a McCloskey report which suggests US east coast export shipments may have sunk up to 30% in February as European coal prices crashed.