On October 4, 2023, a coalition of 14 U.S. aluminum extruders and the United Steelworkers organization filed both antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions. There were 15 countries named in total, with the AD petitions filed against aluminum extrusions from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, and Vietnam. The CVD petitions, aimed at addressing export subsidies provided by foreign governments, were specifically leveled against aluminum extrusions from China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey.
The parties behind the petitions took this step with a goal to protect the domestic aluminum industry from unfair practices. Antidumping duties are typically imposed on foreign imports priced lower than their value in the origin country, while countervailing duties target goods benefiting from export subsidies provided by foreign governments.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is expected to make preliminary injury determinations relating to these claims within 45 days of the filing. Should the ITC’s findings be affirmative, it would pave the way for the U.S. Department of Commerce to proceed with investigations into the claims made in the petitions.
Given the number of countries implicated and the complexity of these instruments, this move reflects a significant development in global trade practices, particularly within the aluminum industry. As the issue unfolds, businesses in the sector, as well as trade lawyers, will need to closely monitor decisions and potential impacts on both global supply chains and pricing.
For more details, refer to the original petition, which was released by Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.