The world's largest listed miner said iron ore production from mines it operates in Western Australia on a 100% basis was 68.1 million tonnes during the three months ended March 31.

US Steel Corp has agreed to be bought by Japan's Nippon Steel for $14.9 billion.

The Biden administration is also pressuring neighboring Mexico to prohibit China from selling its metal products to the United States indirectly from there.

Near-term ore demand will remain solid as mills show increasing willingness to resume production after an improvement in margins and downstream demand, said analysts.

Mine depletion in its Yandicoogina mine in Western Australia contributed to the fall in shipments.

Iron ore shipments from top suppliers Australia and Brazil tumbled by 28.8% week-on-week.

Beyond politics, the takeover must still pass a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.