Core Insights - Barter trade activities between Chery Automobile and Iran have increased due to U.S. sanctions, allowing Chery to supply vehicles in exchange for Iranian metal ores [1][2][4] Group 1: Barter Trade Dynamics - Chery, the largest vehicle exporter in China, has engaged in barter trade with Iran, supplying semi-knocked-down vehicles in exchange for access to Iranian metal ores, which constituted over half of Chery's exports by 2016 [3] - The trade is facilitated through a separate company that routes the vehicles to Chery's local partner in Iran, MVM, for assembly [3] - Chery's approach of not trading in U.S. dollars allows it to operate without violating the sanctions imposed on Iran [4] Group 2: Impact of Sanctions - The U.S. sanctions, intensified after the abandonment of the Iran Nuclear Deal in 2018, have restricted Iran's access to the global financial system, prompting the barter trade [2] - Iran supplies metal ores such as Copper and Zinc to Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Holdings, which then distributes them to other companies in China [4] Group 3: Chery's Financial Activities - Chery's recent IPO on the Hong Kong stock exchange raised $1.2 billion, with its share price increasing by 11% to HK$34.16 from an initial price of HK$30.75 [7] - Other companies, such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), also saw significant financial success, raising over $4.6 billion and experiencing a 12.5% surge in share price [7]
Trump Sanctions Revive Barter Trade: China's Chery Trades Half-Built Cars for Iran's Copper - General Motors (NYSE:GM)