Chinese aluminum products dumped by the EU imposed 19.3% to 46.7% tariffs

The European Union (EU) on Monday (April 12) offered temporary tariffs on imports of flat-rolled aluminum products from China, with rates ranging from 19.3% to 46.7%. A preliminary investigation previously found that the products were sold to the EU at artificially low prices.

The Central News Agency reported that European aluminum product manufacturers had previously filed complaints alleging that cheap Chinese imports had caused them to lose their jobs. The European Commission decided to impose the tariffs after an investigation and announced the decision in the EU Official Journal.

The European Commission oversees the trade policies of the EU’s 27 member states.

Gerd Goetz, secretary general of the European Aluminium Association, which filed the complaint, said, “We are grateful to the EU Executive Commission for taking the necessary measures to protect our industry from unfair competition.”

The lowest tariffs will apply to companies in China’s Nanshan Group, such as Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co. and Jiangsu Chang Aluminum Aluminum Group Co. will face a 28.3 percent rate.

These anti-dumping tariffs will come into effect on Tuesday (April 13) and the EU will continue its investigation while the tariffs are in place. The investigation will conclude in October, when the tariffs may be set for a five-year period.

The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports from many countries, including China, three years ago under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Trump has said the tariffs are needed to protect U.S. domestic industries so they don’t go out of business.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) followed its usual practice and released the president’s annual national trade assessment report on March 31. The report said that the Chinese Communist authorities have intervened and subsidized markets to achieve their economic development ambitions, not only crowding out international businesses but also creating global overcapacity in industries such as steel, aluminum and solar energy, and that the U.S. will take further action to “address these harmful trade practices.”

“China’s state-led economy and trade approach has made it the world’s chief offender in creating uneconomic capacity, as evidenced by severe and persistent overcapacity in a number of industries, including steel, aluminum and solar energy.” USTR wrote in a press release.