The British government has accused Chinese makers of aluminium extrusions used in the manufacture of air conditioners, cars and windows of dumping the metal products at unfair prices in the market and injuring domestic companies.

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), an agency created following Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU), has recommended that provisional tariffs, ranging from 9.5 per cent to 128.17 per cent, be put in place to protect UK’s aluminium industry for up to six months while it seeks public comments and completes its investigation. The highest duties will be on Chinese firms that did not cooperate in the inquiry.

The final measures, following the conclusion of the inquiry, would range from 7.3 per cent to 29.1 per cent for non-cooperative firms.

“Our interim report concludes that Chinese exports of aluminium extrusions are being dumped in the UK market at lower prices than they are being sold in China,” TRA CEO Oliver Griffiths said. “The measures will protect UK manufacturers of products used in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, building and construction, transport and car manufacture.” 

mporters of those Chinese-produced goods will need to provide a bank guarantee to UK tax authorities beginning on May 28, showing they have the ability to pay the new duties.

The inquiry began in June 2021 at the request of domestic producers, covering a period between June 2017 and May of this year.Aluminium extrusions, which can include bars, rods and tubes, are used in a variety of products, including doors, windows, cars, buses and medical equipment, the TRA said. They also are used in the manufacture of components for mining, oil and gas, chemical and refinery equipment.The overall aluminium industry in the UK employs about 37,000 people, with 2 per cent to 4 per cent of that workforce employed in the manufacturing of aluminium extrusions, the trade agency said.China accounted for between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of aluminium extrusions imported into the UK in the past decade, according to the TRA. Other big exporters to the UK during this period were Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain.EVERY SATURDAYSCMP Global Impact NewsletterBy submitting, you consent to receiving marketing emails from SCMP. If you don't want these, tick hereBy registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy PolicyThe anti-dumping provision on Chinese-produced aluminium extrusions comes as the TRA is in the process of reviewing dozens of tariffs put in place on Chinese products whilst Britain was still part of the EU.In recent months, it has recommended continuing anti-dumping duties on continuous filament glass fibre, cold rolled flat steel and wire rod made in China to protect domestic producers.