Joint Statement - 17 July 2017 - The Aluminum Association of the United States, the Aluminium Association of Canada and European Aluminium applaud the United States International Trade Commission for the Section 332 report that confirms oversupply is harming the global industry and that China’s capacity growth has far exceeded all other countries.

The study details the government-sponsored rise of Chinese aluminum production in the global market and the effect of Chinese oversupply on global prices, which fell roughly 30 percent during 2011–15. Chinese government intervention in the form of programs and subsidized loans and electricity has played a significant role in China’s aluminum expansion.

According to the USITC, Chinese domestic support policies have had the effect of increasing wrought aluminum production and exports by an estimated 13 percent and 80 percent, respectively. Chinese firms are reportedly striving to enter into the automotive and aerospace markets, in part to capture more global market share.

Overall, the USITC found that the U.S. primary aluminum industry has been negatively affected by global oversupply, principally because of China’s increased capacity, production, and its policies supporting Chinese industry. The U.S. unwrought secondary and wrought aluminum industries are at increased risk of losing market share as China rapidly expands into those segments.

The Associations continue to work with their respective governments towards a negotiated agreement with the Chinese government that result in measurable and consequent reductions in Chinese aluminum capacity and/or growth. That would address the fundamental problem directly and set the global industry – both upstream and downstream – on a course of expansion, rather than contraction, creating more jobs and more opportunities.

Download PDF

For further information, please contact:
Aurélie Pattyn /communications@european-aluminium.eu / +32 493 40 40 50

About European Aluminium

European Aluminium, founded in 1981 and based in Brussels, is the voice of the aluminium industry in Europe. We actively engage with decision makers and the wider stakeholder community to promote the outstanding properties of aluminium, secure growth and optimise the contribution our metal can make to meeting Europe’s sustainability challenges. Our 80+ members include primary aluminium producers; downstream manufacturers of extruded, rolled and cast aluminium; producers of recycled aluminium and national aluminium associations are representing more than 600 plants in 30 European countries. Aluminium products are used in a wide range of markets, including automotive, transport, high-tech engineering, building, construction and packaging.