kipp- yep, BHP is definitely gonna have to step up the offer or back off. China is paranoid of what a merger might do.
It is putting BHP in a hard place though. Without Rio Tinto, they fall behind in iron ore production even further (currently 3rd in world markets) and CVRD starts to dominate more in the commodities arena (IMO). Although if the bid fails, they (BHP) may go after someone like FMG to try and catch back up in the 'iron ore get production ramped' battle.
I don't mind stealing bread from the mouths of decadence... But I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled.
-Temple of the Dog
"We didn't build this company on the sniff of an oily rag."
-Anonymous