The Aluminum Association Urges Trump Administration To Press China on WTO Commitments

ARLINGTON, VA, Sept. 20, 2017 -- In comments filed today with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), the Aluminum Association urged  the Trump administration to continue pressing China to adhere to both the letter and spirit of its commitment to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) open, rules-based trading system.

The TPSC is requesting public comments and will convene a public hearing on October 4 to assist the USTR to prepare its annual report to Congress on China's compliance with the commitments made in connection with its accession to the WTO.

The Aluminum Association, which represents aluminum production and jobs in the United States, believes China has failed to adhere to the letter and spirit of its WTO accession. Comments submitted by Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association, emphasized:

Representatives from the U.S. aluminum industry meet with President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office on April 27, 2017.

• Despite initial progress after China’s WTO accession, the last decade has seen a major regression, which calls into question the underlying premises for the decision by the United States and other WTO Members to welcome China into the global rules-based global trading system.
  
  
• Instead of allowing aluminum markets, capacity and production to be guided by market forces as provided by WTO rules, China has engaged in industrial, regulatory and trade policies designed to boost domestic production and supply.
  
  
• The result of this failure to heed market signals is massive subsidized excess Chinese aluminum capacity, which has distorted global markets and prices, and contributed to injurious dumping into the U.S. and other markets.

The Aluminum Association appreciates the consideration by USTR and the TPSC of these issues and stands ready to support their efforts. Read the full comments here. 

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About the Aluminum Association
The Aluminum Association represents aluminum production and jobs in the United States, ranging from primary production to value added products to recycling, as well as suppliers to the industry. The Association is the industry’s leading voice, providing global standards, business intelligence, sustainability research and industry expertise to member companies, policymakers and the general public. The aluminum industry helps manufacturers produce sustainable and innovative products, including more fuel efficient vehicles, recyclable packaging, greener buildings and modern electronics.  In the U.S., the aluminum industry creates $186 billion in economic activity. For more information visit www.Aluminum.org, on Twitter @AluminumNews or at Facebook.com/AluminumAssociation.

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Matt Meenan
Aluminum Association
703-358-2977
[email protected]