MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on China to import Australian iron ore without hindrance after reports on Wednesday that a state-run Chinese iron ore buyer had told steelmakers and traders to temporarily stop buying shipments from global mining giant BHP.

China Mineral Resources Group Co.’s move against the world’s biggest miner, which is based in Melbourne, escalates an impasse in contract negotiations, news media reported.

Albanese said he was “concerned” by the reports of the disruption to Australia’s most lucrative export.

“I want to see Australian iron ore be able to be exported into China without hindrance. That is important. It makes a major contribution to China’s economy, but also to Australia’s,” Albanese told reporters.

“These m

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