Welcome to the AEC Blog!

Testing - 1,2,3....Is this thing on? The Aluminum Extruders Council is proud to announce the launching of our first blog!

This Shaping Solutions Together blog will feature timely, relevant information written by guest authors who are respected leaders in the industry, as well as staff. Topics will range from Fair Trade Initiative updates to technical information and everything in between.

Check back often for new and exciting blog posts. Also, AEC welcomes comments and supports discussions on each entry. Share this blog with colleagues within your company and within the industry, as well as end users; all will find posts of interest here!

We look forward to connecting with members of the industry on this forum.

Check back soon for the next post!

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Victories and Struggles: Our Mission Persists

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) took action in issuing a forced labor finding against Kingtom Aluminio S.R.L. (“Kingtom”). This victory for U.S. extruders is a culmination of years of effort between the AEC and United Steel Workers (USW), which started with the initial Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) allegation filed in 2019. As a result of this finding, CBP has authorized all port directors to seize imports of aluminum extrusions from Kingtom. For almost 15 years the Aluminum Extrusion Fair Trade Committee (AEFTC) has worked on a wide variety of trade activities. In defending the China I case, the AEFTC has navigated the 232 Tariffs and has worked with other organizations on EAPA allegations, along with circumvention and transshipment issues. Thank you to all who have contributed time and resources over the years! However, there will be more work to do. With a new administration and 2025 fast approa...

Section 232 Implications: Get the Latest

Recently, the AEC released a detailed fact sheet outlining the implications of Section 232 tariffs on aluminum imports, available for review on our website here. This document underscores our ongoing commitment to transparency and informed decision-making within our member base. Previously, we updated the 232 Derivative Products List to include a comprehensive breakdown of HTSUS codes and product descriptions, aimed at providing clarity for our stakeholders accessible here . Additionally, The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) within the Department of Commerce established a formal process for the addition of aluminum products designated the USHTS codes. The first window for submission opened on May 1, 2025, and closed on May 15, 2025. After the posting and public comment period occurs the BIS will make a final determination within 60 days. In addition to these regulatory updates, the Trump Administratio...

The 232 Takes Center Stage

The 232 exclusion requests, objections, rebuttals and surrebuttals process continues with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). Since the exclusion process on aluminum extrusions restarted in June, AEC members have logged more than 500 objections and over 40 surrebuttals with the DOC. While there have been a few very specific exclusion requests (i.e., hard alloy, seamless tube, etc.), objections have been limited to only one producing company. As an industry, we have mounted a stellar defense with all exclusion requests receiving three or more objections from member companies. At this point, there have yet to be any exclusion requests to make it to the final determination and we are hoping to have the first round of results to share at the Fall Management Conference . However, if we do start to receive results before mid-September, we will make sure to communicate results as they are made available. The number of 232 exclusion requests greatly decrea...

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