The government has today [16 December 2022] agreed with the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation that a new anti-dumping duty be applied to imports of Aluminium Extrusions from China to the UK.
The TRA's investigation, initiated at the request of producers of Aluminium Extrusions in the UK, found that imports are being dumped into the UK at unfair prices and causing injury to domestic producers. The investigation identified seven UK producers of Aluminium Extrusions, four of which had a combined annual turnover of £155 million and employed more than 1000 people.
The TRA's interim report, the Statement of Essential Facts, published in May invited interested parties to comment. The TRA considered these comments and submitted a final recommendation to the Secretary of State for International Trade who agreed that the new trade remedy measure should be put in place on these imports in the form of a tariff at the border. This tariff will come into effect from 17 December 2022.
TRA Chief Executive Oliver Griffiths said:
The Secretary of State has today upheld our recommendation in the first case instigated by the TRA at the request of UK industry. The decision to impose targeted tariffs will shield producers of aluminium extrusions in the UK from dumped products from China.
Measures to provide protection to UK producers
During its investigation, the TRA determined that damage to the UK industry was occurring, having found clear evidence of price undercutting, indicating that UK businesses were struggling to compete with the dumped imports.
The Secretary of State's final decision has recognised imports should not be subject to the measure for Aluminium Extrusions that the UK does not produce. A Notice of Final Negative Determination has been published to reflect this.
Case initiated in response to calls from UK industry
The TRA initiated an investigation into imports of Aluminium Extrusions from the People's Republic of China to the UK in June 2021 in response to a request from the domestic industry. There are a number of manufacturers based across the UK making these products, which are mainly aluminium bars, tubes and pipes. They are used in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, building and construction, transport and car manufacture.
Notes:
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The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is the UK body that investigates whether trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports. Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the EU Commission on the UK's behalf until the UK left the EU.
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Anti-dumping duties allow a country to take action against imports being sold at prices cheaper than they would be sold in their home market.
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Since February 2020, the TRA has been reviewing existing measures the UK inherited from the EU system. This was the TRA's first investigation into the need for a new trade remedy measure to counter unfair imports.
Notes on this case
- The TRA was asked to investigate imports of Aluminium Extrusions from the People's Republic of China by UK manufacturers of this product. These products, which are mainly aluminium bars, tubes and pipes, are often referred to as 'Aluminium Extrusions' because extrusion (the process of producing a product by forcing the material through a small hole) is the most common manufacturing process, although the products may also be made using processes such as rolling, forging and casting.
