Aluminium Association seeks quota-free aluminium tariff exemption under section 232

Aluminium Association, the leading voice for aluminium industry representing the US and other foreign-based companies and their suppliers throughout the value chain, right from primary production to value-added products and recycling, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump on April 24, 2018, asking for permanent, quota-free exemptions from imported aluminium tariff under administration’s section 232 for all responsible trading partner countries.

In the letter, Aluminium Association president & CEO Heidi Brock says, “As you continue to evaluate and implement the Section 232 remedy, I urge you to grant permanent exemptions – without quotas – for our aluminium trading partners that operate as market economies. I also encourage you to engage China to address structural aluminium overcapacity.”

He also writes, “The association’s member companies share the belief that China’s market-distorting behaviour drives massive overcapacity in both primary aluminium production and downstream products. Now that the United States is at a major turning point in trade negotiations with China, we see a historic opportunity for you to address this persistent problem once and for all.”

The association, through the letter, has also extended an offer to work with the US to tackle the real trade and regulatory barriers that are restricting the growth of primary aluminium production. After all, the United States is an ideal spot for aluminium manufacturing, with all indicators pointing to record demand in 2017 and robust growth in the years ahead.

The Aluminium Association believes that focusing on aluminium remedies on Chinese overcapacity under section 232 would help to support US’s economic strength, national security, and jobs.