ARLINGTON, VA, July 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Aluminum Association’s Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet Trade Enforcement Working Group and its individual members alleged in a recent filing with the Commerce Department that Chinese exporters and producers are circumventing the unfair trade orders on CAAS from China by selling 4017 alloy aluminum sheet for applications typically reserved for 3003 and 3105 aluminum sheet. The association called on the Department to initiate a “minor alterations” inquiry to address circumvention of antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders published in 2019 on imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from China.
“The U.S. aluminum industry has made a commitment to rigorously monitor and enforce unfair trade laws to ensure a level playing field for domestic producers,” said Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association. “We are confident that the Commerce Department will promptly review our petition and take appropriate action to ensure that unscrupulous exporters are not circumventing U.S. law.”
Since AD/CVD orders were imposed, imports of 3003 and 3105 aluminum sheet from China have declined dramatically. Recently, however, Chinese exporters and producers have been marketing and selling increasing volumes of 4017 aluminum sheet as substitutes for 3003 and 3105 alloy aluminum sheet. The heavily overlapping chemistries of alloys 4017 and 3003/3105 indicate that Chinese exporters and producers are simply seeking a “work-around” of the unfair trade orders.
The Commerce Department will evaluate the association’s allegation in the coming weeks to determine whether to initiate an inquiry into the alleged behavior.
The Aluminum Association has advocated for increased enforcement of global trade laws in the aluminum sector for a number of years – securing several successful AD/CVD decisions; encouraging the creation of the first-ever U.S. aluminum import monitoring system; and working with partners on multilateral solutions to address massive state subsidies in aluminum market, especially in China. To learn more, visit www.aluminum.org/trade.
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About The Aluminum Association
The Aluminum Association represents aluminum production and jobs in the United States, ranging from primary production to value added products to recycling, as well as suppliers to the industry. The association is the industry’s leading voice, representing companies that make 70% of the aluminum and aluminum products shipped in North America. The association develops global standards, business intelligence, sustainability research and industry expertise for member companies, policymakers and the general public. The aluminum industry helps manufacturers produce sustainable and innovative products, including more fuel-efficient vehicles, recyclable packaging, greener buildings and modern electronics. In the U.S., the aluminum industry supports $176 billion in economic activity and more than 634,000 jobs. For more information visit https://www.aluminum.org or find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.
