International Fair Trade Alliance warns against restrictions on imports of primary aluminium

The International Fair Trade Alliance (IFTA) announced today July 6 that it opposes tariffs or other restrictions on the import of primary aluminium into the United States. Instead, IFTA calls on the U.S. Administration to curb directly illegal imports of Chinese semi-fabricated aluminium products.

The United States Department of Commerce is currently conducting a Section 232 Investigation into whether aluminium imports affect U.S. national security.

IFTA is a non-profit organization that brings together aluminium extrusion manufacturers and suppliers from across the globe to promote free and fair trade. IFTA believes that restrictions on the import of primary aluminium would only bolster China’s determination to export illegally subsidized and unfairly traded semi-fabricated aluminium products.

“We agree with the U.S. domestic industry that tariffs on imported primary aluminum will in no way impact China’s predatory pricing practices nor strengthen the world’s position in negotiating an end to China’s relentless overproduction of aluminum,” said IFTA Chair, Jochen Munch, Director Comercial Corporativo;  Corporación Ecuatoriana de Aluminio Cedal S.A. in Duran, Ecuador.

“If the United States intends to lead the effort to address the aluminum crisis, then this investigation must confront China’s illegal trade activities, and not restrict the legitimate actions of market-based countries across the globe, including Australia, Canada, and those in Latin America and the Middle East.”

Many IFTA member companies understand first-hand the devastating impact China’s unfair trade practices have had on the global aluminium industry. Like the U.S. industry, some IFTA members have been forced to bring antidumping and countervailing duty cases against illegally subsidized and unfairly traded imports from China. 

Mr Munch added: “As in the United States, these IFTA members have seen the lengths to which the Chinese government and its aluminum extrusion industry will go to circumvent proper trade remedies.  So, IFTA requests that the U.S. Government lead a global effort to confront China’s schemes, as well as the countries that allow the Chinese to evade trade remedies.  Otherwise, the positive effects from these legitimate trade cases will have limited impact.

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IFTA looks forward to any actions directed by the U.S. Government at the source of the issue – China – and will continue working hard to oppose any tariffs or other restrictions on primary aluminium from market-based countries.