Global miner Rio Tinto has suspended iron ore price talks with Chinese steel mills after its top salesman in China was detained, Australia Associated Press said on Friday, quoting Rio's iron ore boss.
"At this point in time we're not negotiating," AAP quoted Rio iron ore chief executive Sam Walsh as telling reporters after a business function in Perth.
"Remember we have our negotiators detained," he added.
Rio's top iron ore salesman in China, Stern Hu, and three members of his Shanghai-based team were detained in July and later charged with commercial espionage.