Mexico and Argentina take different AD actions on Chinese aluminium products
Mexico and Argentina are moving in different directions on aluminium imports from China. Mexico has imposed a new anti-dumping duty on aluminium bars, rods and profiles, while Argentina has dropped its existing anti-dumping order on certain aluminium tubes. Mexico has issued an anti-dumping duty...
US industrial policy needs to be systematic, not just ad hoc – Part 1
Our current approach can win economic skirmishes, but not the geopolitical conflict. – Part 1 After decades during which the very concept was taboo and the reality swept under the rug, the US has now rediscovered industrial policy. But this rediscovery remains incomplete, as too much of it is...
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Aluminum companies must support VALCO
Energy expert, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, has said VALCO must not be shut down, but must be made to pay realistic tariffs. He said instead of subsidising VALCO’s energy tariffs, companies that benefit from the smelter’s operation must come together to contribute to the overall tariff of the company....
European Commission ends probe on Chinese aluminum foil export
The European Commission (EC) has terminated its investigation into the possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures on imports of certain aluminum foil originating in China, the EC said Wednesday. Last October, the EC announced it had launched the investigation following a request lodged by EU...
Aluminum Extruders Council applauds indictment of extrusion smugglers
The Aluminum Extruders Council on Tuesday commended the recent arrest and indictment of five people and three companies who conspired to smuggle Chinese aluminum extrusions into the US with the intent to fraud the country of around $26.7 million in antidumping and countervailing duties. “It is...
EDF might take stake in French Rio Tinto aluminum plant
French utility EDF could take a stake of up to 40 percent in Rio Tinto's Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne aluminum plants in exchange for agreeing a discount on the electricity it supplies, financial daily Les Echos reported. Rio Tinto is negotiating with Germany's Trimet Aluminium AG over a sale of the...
Obstacles persist in nonferrous markets
Government “meddling” in the form of bans and other restrictions on nonferrous scrap exports reflected the influence of consumers “who falsely believe that scrap processed within their borders by us is inherently theirs to consume, regardless of its origin,” BIR Nonferrous Metals Division President...
European Commission imposes duties on Chinese solar panels
The European Commission on Tuesday imposed anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese solar panels, defying German-led opposition and dire warnings from Beijing the move could spark a trade war. The European Commission has decided unanimously to impose (punitive) tariffs” on Chinese solar panels,...
China’s State Council in talks with aluminum smelters to control overcapacity
On May 30th, five departments of the State Council held a symposium with fifteen aluminum smelters including Chalco. According to a source with knowledge of the symposium, the meeting involves capacity control, setting up funds to subsidize aluminum producers that pull capacity out of central and...
Indian foundry units face USD 1.95 billion export loss
Indian foundry units are facing a severe threat of losing USD 1.95 billion of exports business to competing countries like China and Taiwan due to the recent levy of import duty on metal scrap - the only raw material for producing critical equipment for the heavy-engineering sector. Effective May...
Vinacomin clarifies tax confusion
The Viet Nam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corp (Vinacomin) has clarified a statement on the export of alumina. It has said that a zero tariff would apply, but that it did not extend to the export of aluminum ore, for which tariffs of 15-40 per cent were applicable. The comment followed...
Government imposes 2.5% import duty on aluminium scraps
The government has imposed 2.5 per cent import duty on aluminium scraps. The measures were taken through two different notifications issued on Wednesday by the Finance Ministry. It did not give reasons for making changes except saying that it is in public interest. "In exercise of the powers...
Public hearing over a contract for cheap power for BHP
BHP Billiton’s preferential arrangement with Eskom through which the company pays a fraction of the standard electricity tariff for its Richards Bay aluminium smelters will soon be a matter of public debate and discussion, when the National Energy Regulator of SA conducts public hearings over the...
Budget 2013 imposes New duty structure on coal imports
The finance ministers' move to equalize customs and countervailing duty of steam coal and bituminous coal will help coastal power plants import coal cheaper and will affect most other companies who import low value coal. It will raise average cost of power generation. "Companies like Adnai, JSW and...
FICCI recommends bringing down of customs duty on scrap aluminium
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has proposed a memorandum for bringing the basic customs duty (BCD) on aluminium scrap at par with the duty on aluminium products in Budget 2013. At present, basic customs duty on aluminium products is at to 5 per cent, while duty for...
Cafca wants further scrapping of duty on aluminium cable in Zimbabwe
Cafca says the group is currently lobbying through various industry groups which they subscribe to, for the further scrapping of duty on aluminium cable. In the last national budget, Finance minister Tendai Biti reduced duty on the cable to 5% from 10%. Cafca MD Rob Webster told shareholders at an...
India’s FM proposes 10% export duty on bauxite in 2013 Budget
2013 Union Budget of India has proposed to levy 10 per cent export duty on bauxite, a raw material for making aluminium. The FM's proposal to impose a 10% export duty on bauxite on an ad valorem basis is likely to discourage exports of an important raw material for aluminium industry. It will thus...
FICCI urges increase in basic customs duty on aluminium goods to 10% in Budget 2013
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is rooting for an increase in the basic customs duty (BCD) on aluminium products from existing 5 per cent to 10 per cent in Budget 2013. FICCI argues that the steep surge in imports of aluminium products in India is having an adverse...
Nigeria’s aluminium industry under threat
There is a worrisome challenge in the Nigerian aluminium industry. It is a challenge that plant owners in the industry believe may lead to the same situation in the textile and tyre industries. Nigeria’s once thriving textile and tyre industries became moribund as a result of inconsistent...
1100 Aluminium industry workers face job loss in Nigeria
A total of 650 workers in Nigeria’s aluminium industry were sacked in December 2012, with 1,100 other facing an uncertain future, the Country Head, Tower Aluminium Plc, Dr. Jinesh Dugad, has said. Dugad, who said this during a press conference and factory tour of the company at Sango Ota, Ogun...
