EU Begins New Antidumping Investigation on Chinese Aluminum Extrusions

The European Union is beginning an antidumping duty investigation on aluminum extrusions from China, the European Commission said in a Feb. 14 notice in the EU Official Journal. Preliminary duties on Chinese aluminum extrusions imposed in connection with this investigation could come in seven to eight months, the notice said.

The investigation covers “bars, rods, profiles (whether or not hollow), tubes, pipes; unassembled; whether or not prepared for use in structures (e.g. cut-to-length, drilled, bent, chamfered, threaded); made from aluminium, whether or not alloyed, containing not more than 99,3 % of aluminium,” the notice said.

Mirroring the scope coverage of U.S. duties on aluminum extrusions, the EU’s investigation exempts “products attached (e.g. by welding or fasteners) to form subassemblies” and “products in a packaged kit with the necessary parts to assemble a finished product without further finishing or fabrication of the parts (‘finished goods kit’).” The EU’s investigation also exempts welded tubes and pipes.

The Aluminum Extruders Council, which represents U.S. aluminum extrusions producers and has been heavily involved in U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty cases, applauded the EU’s new investigation and pledged its support. “Chinese imports have risen in EU nations over the last few years. This action has been rumored for years, but now, under the leadership of the European Aluminum Association, the countries that make up the EU have decided to move forward,” the AEC said.