Aluminum Association Criticizes Smaller Trade Group Calling for Section 232 Tariffs on Canadian Aluminum
The Aluminum Association, which represents 120 companies, including the largest U.S. smelter, Alcoa, is pushing back against a call for Canada to again be subject to Section 232 tariffs on the metal The American Primary Aluminum Association's letter to the U.S. Trade Representative asked for the return of a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum. The group pointed to the closure of a Washington state Alcoa smelter as a reason to reimpose the tariffs.
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Late last month, the APAA wrote, “Action — real action, not mere monitoring, and endless discussions in multinational fora — is needed now if the United States is to save what is left of its primary aluminum industry,” and argued that when other aluminum industry voices say there's no surge, they are ignoring aluminum imported from storage in warehouses, rather than from smelters.
The Aluminum Association responded June 9, “While it is true that imports of Canadian metal have increased, import volumes today are similar to 2017, prior to the implementation of Section 232 tariffs and the year that most closely resembles current U.S. production levels. This was the reference year used by the Commerce Department for its Section 232 investigation report on aluminum. The U.S. saw higher import increases of primary aluminum from Canada in 2013/2014 and 2018 than occurred following the removal of Section 232 tariffs on Canadian aluminum one year ago.”