On February 10, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order – "Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States". A fact sheet is available HERE. With the Executive Order (EO), President Trump announced the elimination of all country exemptions, tariff-rate quotas, and absolute quotas for aluminum imports.
Effective March 12, 2025, all imports of aluminum articles
and derivative aluminum articles will now be subject to a 25% ad valorem
tariff. This increase from the previous
10% tariff applies to imports from all countries except Russia, which continues
to face a 200% tariff. Furthermore, new
derivative aluminum articles will be subject to a 25% tariff, thereby
increasing import restrictions.
Currently, the summary of new derivative aluminum products is not
available. Once the list is published,
we will distribute it to members.
However, the EO explicitly stated that the entirety of HTS Chapter 76
would be included. Review Chapter 76
Aluminum and Articles Thereof HERE.
The proclamation also mandates that the product exclusion
process will be terminated. Current
product exclusions will remain in effect until their expiration date or until
the excluded product volume is imported, with no renewals post-termination. Importers are now required to provide detailed
information to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the aluminum
content used in manufacturing the imported derivative articles. The Department of Commerce has been directed
to establish a process for covering additional derivative aluminum articles
within 90 days, ensuring that any new requests from domestic producers or
industry associations are addressed promptly.
Furthermore, CBP has been instructed to prioritize the
classification reviews of imported aluminum articles to prevent
misclassification and avoid duty evasion by importers. Any evidence of such evasion will result in
maximum monetary penalties and possible inclusion of processed or altered
articles within the tariff scope. Underlining
the seriousness of these changes, the 25% duty will be in addition to any other
duties, including the anti-dumping and countervailing duties on aluminum
extrusions from China. This development
underscores the government's commitment to protecting domestic aluminum
producers and ensuring a fair-trade environment.
The Exclusion process has ended as per the EO. A total of 204MMlbs. of requests were
submitted: 141MMlbs. denied, 1.2MMlbs. granted, and 62MMlbs. still open. We are currently collaborating with the
Department of Commerce to clarify the status of the open requests and determine
any necessary actions.
As we continue to move forward, the AEC and its members are
actively engaged in discussions with the Administration to ensure equal
opportunities for all. We appreciate
everyone who is diligently supporting the progress of our industry.
Looking ahead, if you wish to participate in the Fair Trade
Committee or join the AEC's Government Affairs initiatives, please reach out to us.
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