ITC authorizes Commerce to advance self-initiated AD/CVD cases on common alloy aluminum sheet from China

The International Trade Commission determined there is “reasonable indication” that imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from China are materially injuring the U.S. industry.    The International Trade Commission (ITC) on Friday determined there is “reasonable indication” that imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from China are materially injuring the U.S. industry, according to an ITC announcement.
   This determination greenlights the Commerce Department to continue its self-initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into those imports.
   Commerce’s preliminary CV duty determination is due “on or about” Feb. 1, and its AD duty determination is due “on or about” April 17.
   The determination, affirmed by votes from ITC Chairman Rhonda Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David Johanson, and commissioners Irving Williamson and Meredith Broadbent, adds credence to Commerce’s first self-initiated AD/CV case in about 25 years.
   Commerce announced the investigations on Nov. 28.
   The ITC will publish a report on the determination “after February 13” on its website, the commission said.
   The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), a recreational boat manufacturing trade group, voiced its opposition to the ITC ruling, saying in a statement that duties would “significantly drive up the costs” of aluminum used to make “more than 111,000 boats such as pontoons and fishing boats,” which compose over 43 percent of new powerboat sales.
   NMMA President Thom Dammrick added how 22,000 Americans’ jobs are also at risk of layoff.
   “The National Marine Manufacturers Association and its members fear this short-sighted decision by the government will both upset the common alloy aluminum sheet supply chain and hamstring the economic impact of industries like ours that depend on common alloy aluminum sheet as a primary material,” Dammrich said.
   The ITC is an independent, bipartisan federal agency that has partial authority, along with Commerce, in deciding whether the government will or will not assess duties in unfair trade cases.