Global Geo-political Series: U.S. commerce department announces final AD and CVD on imports of Aluminum foil from China

Yesterday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced final results of the Anti-dumping Duty and Countervailing Duty investigations on imports of Aluminum foil from China. The investigations were initiated based on a petition filed by Aluminum Association Trade Enforcement Working Group.

The department has found that exporters from China sold aluminum foil in the United States at 48.64 to 106.09 percent less than fair value and also determined that China is providing unfair subsidies to its producers of aluminum foil at rates of 17.17 to 80.97 percent. The Commerce Department has asked the United States’ Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers based on these rates.

According to the department’s calculations, imports of aluminum foil from China were valued at an estimated $389 million in 2016.

Since coming to power the Trump administration has initiated 102 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, a whopping 96 percent increase from the previous period. The statement from the department quoted the Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross as saying, “This Administration is committed to trade that is fair and reciprocal, and we will not allow American workers and businesses to be harmed by unfair imports…..This decision comes after a transparent process with a thorough and unbiased review of the facts.”