European Aluminium, the voice of the entire European aluminium value chain, lodged two cases with the General Court of the European Union to challenge the 9-month suspension of the definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium flat-rolled products that the European Commission imposed on 12 October 2021. The sector calls the suspension of the long-overdue trade defence measure unjustified and highlights the damaging impact it can have on European jobs and businesses as well as the block’s sustainability strategy.

The first case is against the European Commission’s suspension decision. The second case is against the non-collection of the provisional anti-dumping duties that were already imposed in April this year. Both cases were lodged by European Aluminium on 17 December 2021.

“After a diligent 14-month anti-dumping investigation, we were alarmed that the European Commission would conclude its suspension decision in just weeks, and without verification of submitted data. Moreover, the suspension contradicts the EU’s commitment to fair trade and the findings of the Commission’s initial anti-dumping investigation, which confirmed the existence of material injury caused by Chinese dumping. If the EU continues to allow dumped products on our market, we will lose European jobs and production of a metal that is crucial to Europe’s green transition,” says Gerd Götz, Director General of European Aluminium.

Since the news about a possible suspension broke, Chinese FRP imports increased by approximately 77%. The sudden import spikes underpin the EU industry’s warning against stockpiling of China’s unfairly under-priced FRPs during the suspension period, eroding the effectiveness of anti-dumping duties beyond the suspension period.

“After exploring all possible avenues to challenge this suspension, we had no choice but to take this matter to court. The Commission decision has sent alarming signals to business actors and global partners alike,” concludes Götz.

If European Aluminium is proved right, the suspension will be annulled and anti-dumping duties may be collected retroactively.

Source: EUActive