NA aluminum associations urge end to tariffs before trade deal signed
By CP STAFF
Industry Aluminum manufacturing metals tariffs trade USMCALetter notes no tariffs or quotas are needed because of action already taken by the three countries.
OTTAWA — The national aluminum associations of North America have issued a joint letter urging a rapid end to tariffs within the trading block on aluminum products.
The national associations of Canada, Mexico and the US say in the letter sent to federal leaders of the three countries that tariffs should be removed before the new North American trade agreement is signed.
They say the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement can’t work for the aluminum industry without exempting Canada and Mexico from section 232 tariffs or quotas.
The associations state in the letter that no tariffs or quotas are needed because of action already taken by the three countries, including anti-dumping investigations by the US, Canada’s move to prevent transshipment and diversion of aluminum and steel, and Mexico’s initiation of an anti-dumping case against Chinese aluminum foil imports from China.
The Aluminum Association, the Aluminium Association of Canada and IMEDAL say they look forward to working with respective governments as they work to address the fundamental problem of Chinese aluminum overcapacity.
Mexico’s deputy commerce minister Juan Carlos Baker said in late October that the country wouldn’t sign the trade agreement until tariffs are removed.
