Bahrain sees possibility of an exemption from US import tariffs on aluminium

According to Bahrain local media report, Bahrain might get an exemption from US import tariffs on aluminium and steel. The appeal submission has been initiated and high-level discussions would continue to take place to explore the possibility for Bahrain to receive an exemption. Bahrain was also imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and 10 per cent tariffs on aluminium.

Responding to a question from The Daly Tribune, Bahrain, John J Sullivan US Deputy Secretary of State said that the negotiations would continue towards it.

According to him, the subject of steel and aluminium tariffs were discussed in detail during his meeting with business leaders and government officials in Bahrain.

“We have had discussions about the steel and aluminium tariffs that were imposed. I understand its impact on the aluminium industry here in Bahrain,” he told Tribune.

He said that Bahrain will be updated on the process to seek exemptions and they would continue to help the country in this regard. He said that the primary purpose behind the tariffs was to control the overcapacity in China and the dumping of aluminium by the country in international market.

 “The problem that the tariffs are ultimately seeking to solve is a problem of overproduction, principally in China, specifically with steel and aluminium,” he said.

Alba, the leading aluminium producer in Bahrain and Middle East, majority-owned by the Bahraini government through state fund Mumtalakat, currently exports 120,000 tonnes of aluminium to the United States.