US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Wednesday announced the affirmative final determinations in the first antidumping and countervailing duty trade cases the Federal government has initiated since 1985.
Commerce has determined that that exporters from China have sold common alloy aluminum sheet in the US ranging from 49.85% to 59.72% less than fair value, while also finding that China is providing countervailable subsidies to its producers of common alloy aluminum sheet at final rates ranging from 46.48% to 116.49%.
"President Trump has been clear in the need for drastic action to defend American workers and businesses from unfair trade practices," Ross said. "The Department of Commerce has answered this call - we will continue to do everything in our power under US law to restrict the flow of dumped or subsidized goods into US markets."
Commerce determined in 2017 that imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from China were valued at an estimated $900 million.
The US International Trade Commission is scheduled to make its final injury determinations on December 20. If the ITC makes affirmative final injury determinations, Commerce will issue AD and CVD orders. If the ITC makes negative final determinations of injury, the investigations will be terminated and no orders will be issued.
In a statement, the Aluminum Association said it and its members were "extremely pleased" with Commerce's decision.
"We appreciate Secretary Ross's leadership in self-initiating these investigations and in enforcing rules-based global trade," AA President and CEO Heidi Brock said. "US manufacturers of common alloy aluminum sheet are among the most competitive producers in the world, but they cannot compete against products that are sold at unfairly low prices and subsidized by the Government of China."
Common alloy aluminum sheet is a flat-rolled aluminum product that is used in a variety of applications, including transportation, building and construction, infrastructure, electrica, and marine applications where its strength, relatively light weight, formability and resistance to corrosion are essential, the association said.
