The US exempted aluminum scrap imports from new forced-labor tariffs levied under Section 301 authority of the 1974 Trade Expansion Act, effectively removing a temporary 10pc tax that had been imposed on most countries under prior trade-remedy action.
The new tariffs, which are meant to replace duties implemented under Section 122 authority of the same act in February, have a carve-out for "certain aluminum scrap and waste", the US Trade Representative said late Thursday.
The USTR agreed with stakeholders who commented that scrap is a "key feedstock" for the US aluminum industry and that imposing tariffs would "disrupt the supply chain", which would trim production and harm downstream industries.
The Section 301 regime is scheduled to take effect on Saturday following the planned expiration of the Section 122 duties on Friday.
