MBIE is understood to have received two complaints from New Zealand steel producers about Chinese steel flooding the New Zealand market. Prime Minister John Key has dismissed talk of a "trade war" with China, saying that the country has given no sign that it has concerns with New Zealand, let alone threatened to retaliate against Kiwi exporters. Fairfax reported yesterday that Chinese officials had "heavied" Fonterra and Zespri to exert influence to prevent any formal MBIE investigation from occurring. He made the comments following reports that China could take retaliatory action against New Zealand's kiwifruit and dairy sectors if New Zealand officials launched a formal investigation into alleged steel dumping by China. Related Content Todd McClay seeks clarity on competition issues from Chinese John Key in trade talks with IndonesiaChina had many avenues to resolve any trade problems, he said, and retaliation was veryunlikely to be one of them.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 17, 2016 17:50 UTC