Trade Body Proposed Changes to Section 232 Tariff Exclusion Process

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Arlington, Virginia-headquartered The Aluminum Association announced release of a new policy brief, which calls for key trade policy changes. Among other things, the document proposes changes to Section 232 tariff exclusion process as well.

Tom Dobbins, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association noted that it is time to take a fresh look at trade policy to support a robust domestic aluminum industry. It is already three years since the introduction of Section 232 tariffs on most aluminum imports into the U.S, he added. Further, he urged the Biden administration to take necessary immediate action to put American aluminum on an equal footing with overseas competitors.

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The Aluminum Association Proposed New Policy Recommendations

The trade body said that the current Section 232 product exclusion process has inadvertently made the United States a magnet for imports. Figures indicate that the Commerce Department granted 8.3 billion pounds of aluminum can sheet exclusions during the previous year. The government should continue to fully enforce existing trade rules using various available tools including anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders, it added.

The policy brief titled “A Trade Policy Framework for the U.S. Aluminum Industry” aims to ensure a level-playing field for its members and for the entire U.S. aluminum industry in general.