Opposition to Chinese aluminum imports gains momentum

The Aluminum Extruders Council, Wauconda, Illinois, an international association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminum extrusion in North America, has joined a partnership with Century Aluminum, Brazeway and the United Steelworkers Union to continue the China Trade Task Force's (CTTF) call for action to remedy the problems caused by China's excess aluminum capacity.

“As an off-take for its excess primary aluminum supply, China's exports of semifinished products have increased significantly, harming producers up and down the value chain,” says AEC President Jeff Henderson. “The AEC is committed to helping the CTTF address these issues.”

According to a news release from AEC, throughout the last nine months, U.S. primary aluminum capacity has dropped by more than 60 percent. Unfortunately for the aluminum industry, this trend likely will continue if China's excess capacity is not addressed, AEC says. 

“We can't wait around any longer,” says CTTF Executive Director Mark Duffy. “China's illegal trade practices are crippling the U.S. aluminum market. The addition of AEC to our coalition sends a strong message that it is time for serious action, because American workers and their families don't have time to waste.”

Adding to the overall concern about United States imports of Chinese-produced aluminum, a recent report in the Wall Street Journal notes that China Zhongwang, one of the largest aluminum producers in the world, through a host of related companies, was storing massive amounts of finished aluminum, as much as 6 percent of the global supply, at a remote location in Mexico. According to the article, the move was an effort to avoid U.S. tariffs on aluminum imports from China.