EU Steel Makers Seek Probe Into BHP-Rio Deal

BRUSSELS (AP) — European steel makers called Tuesday for European Union antitrust regulators to probe a joint mining project between the world's No. 2 and No. 3 iron ore miners BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto PLC.

EU opposition to BHP Billiton's hostile $68 billion bid for Anglo-Australian rival Rio Tinto forced it to abandon the takeover attempt last year.

The European Commission saw competition problems with the deal that they said could hike prices and reduce choice for European mineral and metals customers. Rio Tinto also complained that the bid undervalued it. ...