Aluminum Association Disappointed with No 232 Tariff Resolution in USMCA
Agreement a Missed Opportunity to Exempt Canada and Mexico from Aluminum Tariffs
ARLINGTON, VA – Aluminum Association president and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement:
“The Aluminum Association is disappointed that the Section 232 aluminum tariffs were not addressed as a part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Now is the time for the United States to work with Canada and Mexico to provide a full exemption – without quotas – for aluminum imports from those countries. This should occur as soon as possible, and certainly before the final agreement is signed.
The U.S. aluminum industry comprises some of the most competitive and innovative companies in the world, and integrated North American supply chains are one reason that we have been able to meet growing demand year over year. However, as the industry is in a deficit market, creating barriers within the integrated North American supply chain will threaten continued U.S. growth and investment.
The current Section 232 tariffs are hurting U.S. aluminum companies – making them less competitive on the world stage. Fully 97 percent of domestic aluminum industry jobs are in mid-and-downstream production and processing. By artificially raising input prices and constraining metal supply, tariffs and quotas risk harming demand, growth and investment in the United States. We will continue to review the specifics of the agreement and work towards tariff- and quota-free trade of aluminum with our North American trading partners.”
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About the Aluminum Association
The Aluminum Association represents U.S. and foreign-based companies and their suppliers throughout the value chain, from primary production to value added products to recycling. The Association is the industry’s leading voice, providing global standards, business intelligence, sustainability research and industry expertise to member companies, policymakers and the general public. The aluminum industry helps manufacturers produce sustainable and innovative products, including more fuel-efficient vehicles, recyclable packaging, greener buildings and modern electronics. In the U.S., the aluminum industry creates $174 billion in economic activity. For more information visit http://www.Aluminum.org, on Twitter @AluminumNews or at Facebook.com/AluminumAssociation.