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Great News! The 5050 Appeal has been Won!

Since the industry won its 5050 alloy circumvention case, extruders across the country saw a return of orders from customers that went that direction.  With this case on appeal, there were legitimate concerns that all of this would be reversed.  However, the Department of Commerce (DOC) won its case at the Court of International Trade (CIT), and the industry is spared another round of disruption.  This is good news, indeed!

This win comes on the heels of our victory in the Vietnam circumvention case.  Since that preliminary decision was made, Vietnam has placed duties on Chinese imports.  We believe this in response to our circumvention case as reported here.

Also noteworthy: on May 1, 2019, the Department initiated anti-circumvention inquiries to determine whether imports of aluminum jalousie shutters that are processed in the Dominican Republic from window frame extrusions produced in China are circumventing the Orders. The Department also self-initiated a scope inquiry to determine whether the aluminum jalousie shutters are subject to the Orders.  This case was brought forward by Air Master out of Puerto Rico.  The extrusions in question are being sold by Kim Tom.  We are hearing more and more about Kim Tom and the Council is closely monitoring this situation.  We are encouraged by these words from the DOC, “Commerce intends to consider whether these inquiries should apply to all exports of extruded aluminum products from the Dominican Republic that meet the description of the Orders.”

The 8th Administrative Review is just getting started.  At this stage the DOC decides which Chinese extruders to pull into the process.  In recent years, virtually no Chinese extruders came forward or even participated when asked.  We will see how this unfolds over the summer.

It’s my pleasure to report good news, and this month we’ve had plenty to share.  Of course, none of this is possible without your continued support and involvement in the case.  So, thank you!

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