China’s CMRG Seeks to Halt Some BHP Iron Ore in Dispute

China’s state-run iron ore trader has told the country’s steel mills to temporarily stop using a popular product from BHP Group after talks on long-term contracts faltered, according to people familiar with the matter.

China Mineral Resources Group Co., created by Beijing to boost pricing power in the global iron ore trade, urged mills to suspend purchases of BHP’s Jimblebar blend fines from next week, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private deliberations. The call was echoed by the China Iron & Steel Association, they added.