Final decision yet to be taken on suspension of EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium flat rolled products imports: Source

According to the latest update, the European Commission has yet not taken a final decision whether it will suspend the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties on aluminium flat rolled products imports from China or not. This news came after a European Union official told S&P Global Platts in an emailed statement that "The anti-dumping investigation on imports of aluminum flat-rolled products originating in China initiated on Aug. 14, 2020 is still ongoing. Definitive measures, if any, must be imposed by Oct. 11."

However, in the context of this investigation, "a request for the suspension of any measure, triggered by several stakeholders and based on substantiated information on the most recent market developments beyond the period covered by the anti-dumping investigation, is also under consideration and Member States are being consulted," the official added.

The European Aluminium Association said on Friday, September 10, that it would challenge the proposed suspension of tax by all means because according to the association it would create a negative impact on the EU industries beyond aluminium. Around 10 thousand jobs, along with hundred million of euros in the recycling investment and decarbonisation will be at stake with the suspension of the duties. Besides, there is a fear of less production of domestic material, which is important for European Aluminium’s green transition.

The carbon footprint of Europe’s primary aluminium production is one of the lowest globally, approximately 7kg of carbon emissions while producing 1kg of aluminium in comparison with Chinese average 20kg of CO2 per kg, according to the association’s finding.

The association also argued that domestic production is sufficient to meet the local demand, and there is no risk of aluminium shortage in the EU market.

Chinese imports of aluminium flat rolled products into EU rose from 100,000 tonnes in 2017 to over 200,000 tonnes in 2019, taking a market share of 9 per cent in a three-year period, according to the European Aluminium data.