European Commission plans to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on aluminium extrusions from China following a complaint from European Aluminium and investigation opened in February, stated a release on Sep 24, lauding it as an important step in combating China’s unfair trade practices.
The anti-dumping duties could play a crucial role in the survival of the European aluminium value chain critical to Europe’s transition to a digital and green economy, said Gerd Götz, European Aluminium’s Director-General. The duty rates would vary from 30.4-48pc.
The products include aluminium bars, rods, profiles, tubes, pipes unassembled; whether or not prepared for use in structures made from aluminium, whether or not alloyed, containing not more than 99.3pc of aluminium.
Imports of semi-fabricated aluminium products from China had jumped over twofold in the past five years (2014-2019). These imports had led to a decrease in production and a loss of market share for European producers across the value chain which forced several companies to either restructure or close plants with significant job losses.
The provisional duties are likely to be imposed from Oct 15 and would be applied with a retroactive effect to the date of the registration of imports starting Aug 25, 2020. The investigation is expected to conclude in April 2021. The duties at that time will be definitive and in place for five years.