The U.S. extrusion industry is analyzing trade data to determine the best strategy to address the rising imports we’ve seen over the last four years. This deep analysis has not stopped us from pursuing trade remedies within our existing orders against China. So, over the last month we have seen activity in the China case in trade enforcement. We currently have two EAPA allegations that are active. One is in the fencing industry, the other is in automotive applications. The first has significant volume implications, while the second is a key precedent regarding Chinese extrusions being sent to Mexico for fabrication prior to export to the U.S. Each case is proceeding and when we can comment publicly about it, we will. Meanwhile, reports began to surface out of D.C. last week of movement in the 232 program. As I write this entry, I am still not clear if this is a legislative effort intended to redefine the nature of how 232 Orders can be lau...
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) has led the U.S. aluminum extrusion industry in achieving level competition by winning tariff protection that offsets unfair trade practices of extruders/importers of aluminum profiles produced in China. Our efforts have been of enormous value to domestic extruders and suppliers. Conservatively, an estimated 800 million pounds per year of extrusions are being produced in the U. S. that would have otherwise been lost to China.