The Aluminum Association Highlights Importance of Continued Exemption of Tariffs

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Aluminum Association has highlighted the importance of continued exemption of Section 232 tariffs on aluminium produced in North America. The letter by Tom Dobbins, President and CEO, addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthgizer on the occasion of first anniversary of the removal of tariffs, also featured the benefits it has done to the U.S. domestic aluminium makers and their workers, families and communities.

The letter outlined the country’s dependence on Canada as a reliable source of primary aluminium. The domestic demand for aluminium products cannot be met even if every U.S. aluminium smelter operates at full capacity. Also, nearly 97% of jobs associated with mid and downstream production and processing depend on reliable aluminium supplies from key trading partners such as Mexico and Canada.

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Dobbins noted that widespread imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duty has led to sharp decline in unfairly traded imports of flat-rolled aluminum products from China. Increased import monitoring mechanisms in North America, especially from nonmarket economies such as China, to combat unfair global trade practices needs to be implemented. All parties in the USMCA are required to prioritize strong trade enforcement actions, he added.