MBIE is understood to have received two complaints from New Zealand steel producers about Chinese steel flooding the New Zealand market. Trade Minister Todd McClay says he will be asking officials to contact the Chinese embassy in Wellington to clarify its position on competition issues. Fairfax today reported that Chinese officials had "heavied" Fonterra and Zespri to exert influence to prevent any formal MBIE investigation from occurring. He had heard that one New Zealand exporter had heard from a Chinese trade association that there could be an issue. "We've taken WTO action before -- our nearest neighbour, Australia, over apples.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 17, 2016 03:11 UTC