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The U.S.-based Aluminum Association forwarded its recommendations to the U.S. Commerce Department towards adjusting Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel. It also proposed changes to the newly created category of “general approved exclusions” (GAE).
In a newsletter published by the Association, Tom Dobbins, CEO noted that it has urged the Department to revisit the new exclusions which came into effect in December last year. It highlighted the need for ensuring that new requirements can effectively put a break on requests for volumes that exceed historical consumption. The Association will keep a close watch on the portal to see how the new changes are taking shape, said the newsletter.
The Aluminum Association noted that the aluminum producers find it extremely burdensome to keep up with the exclusion process. Consequently, the ability to apply for exclusion must be limited. Also, Commerce Department should do the needful to frame a policy that would decline to accept exclusion requests from non-market economies like China. The same must be applicable for transhipped products involving non-market economies.
The Association expressed its displeasure at the new GAE category and said that it was a surprising and unexpected action.