On Tuesday 22 September, the European Commission announced its intention to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on aluminium extrusions originating in China. The duty rates vary from 30.4 to 48% and are the result of an investigation opened in February this year, following a complaint from European Aluminium. European Aluminium applauds this important milestone in the fight against China’s unfair trade practices.
“With this proposal, the Commission shows it is walking the talk when it comes to increasing the EU’s trade defence against unfair trade practices. These anti-dumping duties are crucial for the survival of the European aluminium value chain, which is critical to Europe’s transition to a digital and green economy,” commented Gerd Götz, European Aluminium’s Director General.
Chinese imports of semi-fabricated aluminium products into the EU have more than doubled in the past five years (2014-2019). The destructive impact of dumped imports has led to a decrease in production and a loss of market share for European producers across the entire value chain, which forced several companies to restructure or close plants with significant job losses as a result.
“We expect the Commission to impose the definitive measures at the end of the anti-dumping investigation. We also anticipate that the outcome of the ongoing anti-dumping investigation into certain flat-rolled products from China will result in the adoption of equally effective preliminary duties,” concluded Gerd Götz.
The provisional duties on aluminium extrusions are expected to be imposed by 15 October, and will possibly be applied with a retroactive effect to the date of the registration of imports (25 August 2020). The European Commission’s investigation will continue and is expected to be finalised in April 2021. At that point, the duties will likely be confirmed as definitive. If the definitive duties are confirmed, they will normally be in place for five years.
Semi-fabricated aluminium products from China are subject to anti-dumping duties in other major markets like the US, Canada, India, South Korea, Australia and Vietnam.
