Trade commission ruling allows probe on aluminum sheet
The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that imports of aluminum alloy sheet metal from China are harming U.S. aluminum manufacturers.
The ruling allows a U.S. probe to proceed into whether aluminum alloy sheet is being dumped or unfairly subsidized.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association held a webinar Tuesday, Jan. 16, to update the industry on the issue, which could significantly raise prices of aluminum sheet for marine manufacturers.
Reuters reported on the ruling and shared NMMA’s concerns, noting NMMA said the decision was bad news for aluminum boat makers, a big part of a $3 billion recreational boating industry that claims to support 650,000 U.S. jobs.
“The ruling is expected to significantly drive up the costs of aluminum used to manufacture more than 111,000 boats such as pontoons and fishing boats, which make up 43 percent of new powerboat sales,” NMMA President Thom Dammrich said in a statement provided to Reuters.
For more information on the aluminum alloy sheet case, please contact NMMA’s vice president for federal and legal affairs, Nicole Vasilaros.
