BHP(US:BHP) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-14 15:57Core Viewpoint - BHP, a major Australian iron ore producer, announced it will gradually accept RMB for iron ore spot transactions, starting in Q4 2023, marking a significant milestone in the internationalization of the RMB as all four major iron ore giants now accept RMB settlement [1][7]. Group 1: Iron Ore Market Dynamics - China is heavily reliant on iron ore imports, with over 1.2 billion tons expected in 2024, 60% of which will come from Australia, highlighting the country's significant demand for high-quality iron ore [5][6]. - Despite being the largest buyer of iron ore, China has limited bargaining power due to a fragmented buyer landscape and a concentrated seller market dominated by four major companies [6][7]. - The establishment of the China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) aims to consolidate procurement among state-owned steel enterprises to enhance bargaining power against suppliers [6][7]. Group 2: RMB Internationalization Progress - The acceptance of RMB for iron ore transactions is seen as a major step forward for RMB internationalization, especially in the context of global commodity trading [7][11]. - Recent data indicates that RMB settlements in cross-border transactions have surpassed those in USD for the first time, with over 60% of foreign trade enterprises using RMB [11][12]. - The CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) has been developed to facilitate RMB payments, covering 189 countries and connecting 1,700 banks, processing a significant volume of cross-border RMB transactions [10][12]. Group 3: Future Prospects and Innovations - The mBridge project aims to create a digital currency platform for central banks, allowing for direct currency exchanges without intermediaries, potentially reducing reliance on the USD [16][20]. - The internationalization of RMB is not just about becoming a reserve currency but also about eliminating the dominance of the USD in global trade [21].