Skip to main content

All Eyes on Imports

By

Over the last month, the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) has been collecting trade data and making an all-out push at the Department of Commerce (DOC) to have our Aluminum 232 aluminum extrusion tariffs reinstated.  We are working as fast as we can to find a path to relief while facing the twin threat of a slowing economy and rising imports.  

AEC U.S. extrusion members have dutifully submitted data to our trade attorneys so they can aggregate the information and confirm the injury many of us are feeling.  Currently, we are wrapping up the Q3 data set, and after the first of the year, we will ask for Q4 results.  Our attorneys will continue to aggregate the results to determine two things: confirmation of injury, and the duties we would expect to win, should we prevail.

Having already reviewed the data from our Sunset Review earlier this year, we know at this point that we do have a case.  However, the second piece of the puzzle is even more important, which is, what would the tariffs be if we won?  As data shows more injury, the calculations will show a higher tariff to be won.  When the injury is at a point we can no longer bear, and the duties we could win would deliver a fair and balanced playing field, we will have a decision to make.

Knowing this may take several months to process, we have the time to push the DOC to reinstate our 232 aluminum tariffs.  Many of you contributed information to me that I was able to convert into a letter sent to the Secretary of Commerce.  We are working with the Secretary’s key policy maker and providing them whatever support they need to make this happen for us.  I am hearing that progress is being made.  However, we must keep up the pressure.  Ideally, we would have the tariffs reinstated early next year, so we can see the impact it has on the import totals.  Hopefully, it will cull some of these importers out of the mix and reveal to us who the true long-term strategic threats are to our industry.  Then we can launch a trade case we know addresses the injury we are suffering. I will keep you updated on these activities via Trade Alerts and webinars as events unfold.

Meanwhile, our Administrative Review is winding down and we predict no changes in duties for this year and next.  China rarely participates in these reviews, so the results have become fairly predictable.  In scope challenges, we received a new challenge about a heat sink application.  We will oppose this request.  The Reflections Window case is expected to ramp up again in Q1 2023.  And, finally, we are preparing for our Kingtom EAPA appeal.  Even though the government representatives changed their minds, we still have an affirmative ruling from them.  We plan to go to court with it and let the judge force Customs to abide by their original assessments.

Thank you all for your continued support.  I believe 2023 is going to be a very interesting year.  If we stick together, we can prevail.  So, let’s plan on doing that!  Happy Holidays!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Victories and Struggles: Our Mission Persists

By
 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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Section 232 Implications: Get the Latest

By
 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...
Post a Comment
Read more

The 232 Takes Center Stage

By
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...
Post a Comment
Read more