EU launches anti-dumping investigation on China aluminium products
The European Commission has opened a study into whether China is dumping aluminium extrusions, products trusted in transport, construction and electronics, in europe, it said on Friday.
A notice in the EU's Official Journal said it had been acting on a complaint filed last month by industry group European Aluminium representing seven producers.
"The evidence supplied by the complainant shows that the volume and the prices of the imported product under investigation have had, among other consequences, a poor impact," the Commission said.
European Aluminium welcomed the move, calling for an urgent launch of anti-dumping duties.
"During the past year, production lines and entire plants closed, with significant job losses due to this fact. We ask the EU to be proactive instead of wait until it is too late," Gerd Götz, director general of European Aluminium, said in a statement.
Aluminium extrusions from China already are subject to anti-dumping duties in america, Canada, Australia and Vietnam, the statement added.
Aluminium extrusions are used for engine blocks and chassis in autos, to house coaxial cables for electronics and as building facades in construction.
Wen Xianjun, vice chairman of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, who previously led aluminium anti-dumping negotiations with america, said his department opposed the EU investigation and was studying it.
"It'll further increase global trade protectionism. We will organise related companies to actively react to the complaint," said Wen, who's also an unbiased non-executive director at China's top aluminium extruder China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd. Members of European Aluminium include Norsk Hydro, Rio Tinto and Alcoa.
They are battling a weak market influenced by a lack of demand, including from the auto sector.
