Released November 29, 2017 | SUGAR LAND
en
Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The U.S. Department of Commerce said Tuesday it will launch antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations into aluminum sheet imports from China. The investigations mark the first time in more than 25 years that the department has self-initiated such probes. Industrial Info is tracking 28 active U.S. aluminum sheet, plate and foil projects worth more than $2.9 billion.
In 2016, the department said, imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from China were valued at an estimated $603.6 million. For the first three quarters of this year, imports of aluminum sheet from China amounted to more than 615 million pounds, with a customs value of more than $687 million, according to the department.
"We are self-initiating the first trade case in over a quarter century, showing once again that we stand in constant vigilance in support of free, fair, and reciprocal trade," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a press statement.
Normally, such investigations are made in response to petitions filed by a domestic industry alleging that dumped or unfairly subsidized goods are being exported into the U.S. market, the department said. However, the department can initiate an investigation whenever the commerce secretary determines one is warranted, based on information available.
"In this instance, we have information warranting an investigation into whether 1) the United States price of common alloy sheet from China may be less than the normal value of such or similar merchandise, 2) imports of common alloy sheet from China may be benefitting from countervailable subsidies, and 3) imports of common alloy sheet from China may be materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry producing common alloy sheet in the United States," the department said. "The merchandise covered by these investigations is common alloy aluminum sheet, which is a flat-rolled aluminum product having a thickness of 6.3 mm [millimeters] or less, but greater than 0.2 mm, in coils or cut-to-length, regardless of width. Common alloy aluminum sheet within the scope of these investigations includes both [non-clad] aluminum sheet, as well as multi-alloy, clad aluminum sheet."
Common uses for aluminum sheet include gutters and downspouts, building facades, street signs and license plates, electrical boxes, kitchen appliances and tractor-trailers for trucks, according to The Aluminum Association, which applauded Tuesday's announcement. The U.S. aluminum industry ships about 2 billion pounds of common alloy sheet each year, the association said.
Excluded from the investigations is aluminum can stock, the department said.
The investigation is not directly related to the Section 232 probe into whether unfair aluminum and steel imports are a threat to national security, which was ordered by President Donald Trump. For related information, see May 15, 2017, article - Leaders Express Optimism for U.S. Steel Industry at AISTech 2017 Town Forum.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will determine within 45 days whether there is a reasonable indication that domestic producers of common alloy sheet are materially injured, or threatened with material injury, due to imports. If the ITC makes such a determination, the investigation will take about a year to complete, with final determinations of dumping, subsidization, and injury likely occurring in late 2018 or early 2019.
On October 27, the Department of Commerce announced a preliminary finding that exporters of aluminum foil from China sold their product at unfair prices. The department ordered U.S. Customs and Border Production to collect cash deposits from the importers. In 2016, imports of aluminum foil from China were valued at $389 million.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.com or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com.
In 2016, the department said, imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from China were valued at an estimated $603.6 million. For the first three quarters of this year, imports of aluminum sheet from China amounted to more than 615 million pounds, with a customs value of more than $687 million, according to the department.
"We are self-initiating the first trade case in over a quarter century, showing once again that we stand in constant vigilance in support of free, fair, and reciprocal trade," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a press statement.
Normally, such investigations are made in response to petitions filed by a domestic industry alleging that dumped or unfairly subsidized goods are being exported into the U.S. market, the department said. However, the department can initiate an investigation whenever the commerce secretary determines one is warranted, based on information available.
"In this instance, we have information warranting an investigation into whether 1) the United States price of common alloy sheet from China may be less than the normal value of such or similar merchandise, 2) imports of common alloy sheet from China may be benefitting from countervailable subsidies, and 3) imports of common alloy sheet from China may be materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry producing common alloy sheet in the United States," the department said. "The merchandise covered by these investigations is common alloy aluminum sheet, which is a flat-rolled aluminum product having a thickness of 6.3 mm [millimeters] or less, but greater than 0.2 mm, in coils or cut-to-length, regardless of width. Common alloy aluminum sheet within the scope of these investigations includes both [non-clad] aluminum sheet, as well as multi-alloy, clad aluminum sheet."
Common uses for aluminum sheet include gutters and downspouts, building facades, street signs and license plates, electrical boxes, kitchen appliances and tractor-trailers for trucks, according to The Aluminum Association, which applauded Tuesday's announcement. The U.S. aluminum industry ships about 2 billion pounds of common alloy sheet each year, the association said.
Excluded from the investigations is aluminum can stock, the department said.
The investigation is not directly related to the Section 232 probe into whether unfair aluminum and steel imports are a threat to national security, which was ordered by President Donald Trump. For related information, see May 15, 2017, article - Leaders Express Optimism for U.S. Steel Industry at AISTech 2017 Town Forum.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will determine within 45 days whether there is a reasonable indication that domestic producers of common alloy sheet are materially injured, or threatened with material injury, due to imports. If the ITC makes such a determination, the investigation will take about a year to complete, with final determinations of dumping, subsidization, and injury likely occurring in late 2018 or early 2019.
On October 27, the Department of Commerce announced a preliminary finding that exporters of aluminum foil from China sold their product at unfair prices. The department ordered U.S. Customs and Border Production to collect cash deposits from the importers. In 2016, imports of aluminum foil from China were valued at $389 million.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.com or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com.
