RV Industry Association Becomes Party to Aluminum Tariff Proceedings

In addition to the tariffs on steel and aluminum that have gone into effect, there are also continuing antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into aluminum alloy sheet from China. These investigations were self-initiated by Commerce at the end of November of 2017 and could result in additional levies on imports of Chinese aluminum alloy sheet at 56% for the antidumping duty as well as 40% for countervailing duties.

The products covered by these investigations are common alloy aluminum sheets, having a thickness of 6.3 mm or less, but greater than 0.2 mm, in coils or cut-to-length, regardless of width. Common alloy aluminum sheet includes both not clad aluminum sheet, as well as multi-alloy, clad aluminum sheet. Not clad aluminum sheet is manufactured from a 1XXX-, 3XXX-, or 5XXX-series alloy as designated by the Aluminum Association. Multi-alloy clad aluminum sheet is produced from a 3XXX-series core.

Commerce is still in the middle of these investigations. The countervailing determination is due in mid-April, and the antidumping determination is due in early July. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will then make its final determinations by June 1 in the CVD investigation and by August 15 in the AD investigation. If ITC makes affirmative determinations, the orders would be issued one week following the final ITC determination. A negative ITC finding would terminate the investigation.

Over the last several weeks, members have expressed growing fears that the rising costs from these actions threaten to flatten or slow RV sales in the United States. As a result, RV Industry Association is attacking these actions aggressively. We have reallocated internal resources within our budget to fund an antidumping/countervailing duties defense strategy along with the marine and trailer industries.

In addition, we are actively arming RV Caucus members prior to hearings with questions that will highlight the negative impact these tariffs and duties will have on the RV industry. We also recommend that all RV Industry Association members take the time to contact your members of Congress to discuss these threats. As the investigations continue, any action we can take to prevent additional tariffs from being placed on RV Industry Association member companies will be pursued.

If you have any questions regarding these pending tariffs, the AD/CVD investigations or how to discuss these issues with your members of Congress, please contact Mike Ochs at 571-665-5860 or mochs@rvia.org or Jay Landers at 571-665-5857 or jlanders@rvia.org. The RV Industry Association team is ready to assist you as we face this challenge and protect the RV industry and our members.