Demand for thermal coal used by the power sector was supported by low rainfall in the south of China, which saw output from hydropower facilities in provinces such as Sichuan and Yunnan slide.
Coal use leads to droughts, which reduces Hydro performance, which leads to greater coal use…
My guess is environmental preservation is low on the list of reasons why the US would sanction a country.
I meant Australia because they sell the most coal to China.