Tribunal finds Canadian producers of aluminum extrusions hurt by China's subsidies

OTTAWA - A federal tribunal has determined that Canadian producers of extruded aluminum products used for a wide variety of purposes have been harmed by subsidized imports from China. The decision means that Canada will impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on the imports to offset the price advantage the foreign producers have over domestic producers. Among the uses for aluminum extrusions are parts for automobiles and other vehicles, consumer products such as appliances, sports equipment and furniture and construction material such as window or door frames, railings, bridges and other structures. The complaint was lodged last year by about half a dozen Canadian companies in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. The Canada Border Services Agency, which investigated the complaint, determined last month that the dumping occurred - over the objections the Chinese government. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decision, issued Tuesday, found that the Canadian producers had been harmed by the dumped imports. That starts the clock on a five-year period when the duties will be levied on the targeted aluminum products. The Chinese producers may appeal through Canada's federal court system or at the World Trade Organization. The complaint was originally filed in July 2008 by: Almag Aluminum Inc. of Brampton, Ont., Apel Extrusions Ltd. of Calgary, Can Art Aluminum Extrusion Inc. of Brampton, Ont., Metra Aluminum Inc. of Laval, Que., Signature Aluminum Canada Inc. (formerly Bon L Canada Inc.) of Richmond Hill, Ont., Spectra Aluminum Products Ltd. of Bradford, Ont. and Spectra Anodizing Inc. of Woodbridge, Ont. Among the exporters that co-operated with the CBSA's investigation, the margin of dumping varied substantially -from less than three per cent in some cases to more than 40 per cent in others.