USTR Import Volume Levels In Place of Tariffs Await Further Clarification

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Aluminum Association, while applauding the U.S. government’s decision to withdraw the recently re-imposed 10% tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada, noted that the declaration awaits further clarity. It urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) office to publish the details of the import volume levels imposed in replacement to tariffs.

In a newsletter, the Association indicated that it is quite unclear as to how the new system is going to get implemented, especially when Canada has made it clear that it would not support imposition of any import controls or quotas. It noted that the expected levels of imports mentioned by the USTR are below the historical import levels.

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The USTR has mentioned maximum import levels for non-alloyed, unwrought aluminum from Canada of 83,000 mt for September, 70,000 mt for October, 83,000 mt for November and 70,000 mt for December. If the actual exports by Canada exceed 105% of the above mentioned threshold levels for any of these months, the U.S. could impose 10% tariff retroactively on all shipments made in that month.

Meantime, Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister said that the U.S. has unilaterally decided to lift the tariffs. The quota system has not been a point of discussion between the two countries, she said.