On July 11, 2025, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) launched anti-circumvention investigations into disposable aluminium containers, pans, trays, and lids imported from Vietnam and Thailand. The petition was filed by the Aluminum Foil Container Manufacturers Association.
But in general, US also imported significant amount of aluminium foil from other Asian nations like Japan and South Korea. In 2024, as per OEC data, US imported around USD 14 million aluminium foils from South Korea and USD 78.8 million from Japan. So, why the probe was launched only upon Vietnam and Thailand?
According to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam, the probe is based on suspicions that aluminium foil produced in China is being shipped to countries, processed into finished products, and then exported to the US effectively bypassing the existing anti-dumping and countervailing duties on similar Chinese products.
Now here comes the question – Why the products are being shipped to countries like Vietnam and Thailand? Secondly, how will China be benefitted from it?
For the unversed, there were already antidumping and countervailing duties in place on aluminium containers coming directly from China. Now since China cannot send their foil products directly to the US, they decided to bypass it through Vietnam and Thailand – as a result evading those duties (a practice known as "circumvention.")
Trade data reinforces this concern.
If we analyse recent data, it can be seen that in 2023, US imports of aluminium foil products from China closed at USD 276 million, while imports from Thailand stood at USD 61.9 million. However, 2024 revealed a notable shift, where imports from China dropped slightly to USD 264 million (a fall of USD 12 million), while imports from Thailand saw a significant surge of USD 72.1 million, rising to USD 134 million.
This sharp rise in imports from Thailand further proves the point and is believed to support the ongoing concerns raised by US authorities. Previously in March, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) concluded that disposable aluminium containers, pans, trays, and lids imported from China were being sold in the US at unfairly low prices. As a result, the DOC imposed final anti-dumping duties ranging from 193.90 per cent to 287.80 per cent, along with countervailing duties of 317.85 per cent.
While the DOC has yet to designate mandatory respondents, it is expected to base its findings on data provided by US Customs and Border Protection. Under US trade law, a preliminary decision is anticipated by December 4, 2025, with a final determination expected by May 4, 2026.
In the meantime, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam has advised domestic exporters to closely examine their sourcing and export practices, align with US trade compliance requirements, and extend full cooperation during the investigation to safeguard their legal and commercial interests.
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