The prime minister says he's "concerned" by reports that China has banned iron ore imports from the mining giant BHP in the midst of a pricing dispute, saying he wants the issue resolved "quickly".

Bloomberg reported yesterday that China's state iron ore buyer had ordered steelmakers to pause purchases of iron ore shipments from the company as they continue hardball negotiations with BHP over the price which should be paid for the commodity.

Chinese commodity analysis firm Mysteel contradicted that report later in the day, saying no such order had been issued by the China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) — which Beijing created to consolidate purchasing power and help control iron ore prices.

But Anthony Albanese waded into the dispute when he was asked about the reports on Wednesday mo

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