The Report focuses on the years 2011-2015 and covers both unwrought (primary or secondary raw) and wrought (semi-finished) aluminum products. The Report highlights the significant growth in production of both Chinese unwrought and wrought aluminum, facilitated by Chinese Government policies and support for state-owned enterprises, creating an overcapacity problem that is driving down aluminum prices world-wide. The Report indicates a discrepancy between the Chinese Government’s stated desire to reduce overcapacity and the fact that aluminum manufacturing capacity in China is projected to increase dramatically in the near future.

The Chinese Government also developed export-oriented policies for its wrought aluminum industry during the period of investigation. China is now the world’s largest wrought aluminum exporter. Recently, Chinese producers were reported to be expanding their product offerings, and they are now entering the more profitable automotive and aerospace markets. Expansions in Chinese production, capacity, and exports, as well as entry into additional markets, have led multiple domestic producers to express concerns that high volumes of low-priced imports will threaten domestic producers’ ability to earn a fair return on their investments and contribute to the closure of U.S. mills.

It is unknown if the Report will have any effect on the Section 232 Investigation on the Effect of Imports of Aluminum on U.S. National Security currently being carried out by the Department of Commerce. Although there have been rumors that the steel or aluminum Section 232 investigation reports would be released in the near future, actual release dates have not been announced.