New program tracks aluminum trade flows

The U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration has launched a new program to track aluminum trade flows. The Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system will serve as an early warning mechanism to help spot trends and shifts in trade flows that might warrant industry or government action, according to a news release from the Aluminum Association, Arlington, Virginia.

“This is great news for U.S. aluminum companies and workers,” says Tom Dobbins, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association. “The AIM program will help us to more quickly and fully understand trends in the aluminum market and, as appropriate, push back on countries that fail to follow the rules and laws that govern global trade.”

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross tweeted that the new program “will enable commerce and the public to better detect potential transshipment and circumvention involving aluminum products—helping to ensure that domestic producers can compete on a level playing field.”

The Aluminum Association reports that the new AIM system website is operational and accepting online applications at www.trade.gov/aluminum. AIM licenses will be required for importers of covered aluminum products starting Jan. 25. The system will cover aluminum products under HTS codes 7601, 7604, 7605, 7606, 7607, 7608, 7609, 7616.99.51.60 and 7616.99.51.70, matching the original scope of the Section 232 aluminum tariff program. The association reports that information gathered from these licenses will be aggregated and posted on the import monitoring section of the AIM system website. The new program was outlined in a final rule issued by the Commerce Department Dec. 23, 2020.

“We appreciate the hard work of the Commerce Department and our congressional supporters for helping us make this program a reality,” Dobbins says. “Now comes the hard work of making sure that the program is effective, ensuring that the data is accurate, timely and actionable. The Aluminum Association and our members look forward to working with the department to ensure that the program bolsters critical aluminum trade enforcement efforts which will help keep U.S. aluminum companies competitive.”

According to the Aluminum Association, monitoring across the North American region will also be critical. In 2019, Canada had announced an expansion of its import monitoring system to include aluminum and aluminum products. Mexico made a similar commitment to “prevent the importation of aluminum and steel that is unfairly subsidized and/or sold at dumped prices” and “establish an agreed-upon process for monitoring aluminum and steel trade between them” but has not yet acted to formally monitor aluminum imports into Mexico.