American Aluminum Association calls for a ban on exporting scrap aluminum cans to China
According to Reuters, the American Aluminum Association called on October 14 to ban the export of used aluminum cans to China, in support of the production of American cars, fighter jets, tanks, and satellites.
The organization stated that the United States consumes between 5 million and 6 million tons of aluminum waste annually, while exporting more than 2 million tons. The organization called for an immediate ban on the export of used aluminum cans outside North America, citing "national security," and said that most of the U.S. waste flows to China for processing and then is returned as finished products.
The American Aluminum Association stated that the U.S. aluminum industry faces an annual supply gap of about 4 million tons of primary aluminum, and achieving self-sufficiency would "require years, billions of dollars, and a large amount of cheap energy."
Almost half of the U.S. scrap aluminum is exported. The association said that with increasing demand for aluminum in key areas such as automobiles and aircraft, this situation is becoming more concerning.
The Trump administration imposed a 50% tariff on aluminum metal shipments to the United States in June. About two-thirds of the primary aluminum used in the United States comes from Canada.
In August, the U.S. Department of Commerce said it would increase tariffs on more than 400 steel and aluminum products, including many automotive parts, with an annual import value of $240 billion. These parts include car exhaust systems, electrical steel required for electric vehicles, and bus components. U.S. tariffs are not limited to steel and aluminum themselves but also extend to a range of "derivative" products made from these metals.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846013264732426/
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