The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) recently overruled the Department of Commerce’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on aluminum extrusions imported from 14 countries, including India.

The aluminum extrusions are used in solar trackers, racking, and mounting structures.

The USITC held that the imports of aluminum extrusions do not materially harm or threaten the U.S. industry.

In October, the Department of Commerce had proposed anti-dumping duties ranging from 2.02% to 376.85% and countervailing duties from 1.44% to 168.81% on aluminum extrusions from China, India, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, and Vietnam.

The department’s investigation found that these imported goods were sold in the U.S. market at prices below fair market value, aided by government subsidies in China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey.

With the USITC overruling the Department of Commerce’s decision, the duties and countervailing measures for imports from the listed countries will not apply.

The U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition and the United Steelworkers expressed surprise and disappointment at USITC’s decision. They asserted that the domestic aluminum industry is suffering due to unfairly traded imports and will explore all available options to address this injury.

In May 2024, the Department of Commerce made a preliminary ruling indicating that these aluminum extrusions were being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices, potentially subjecting them to anti-dumping duties. The investigation examined trade activity from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, and was initiated on behalf of the U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition, representing 14 U.S.-based aluminum extruders.

The aluminum extrusions that were the subject of the investigation included all forms, finishes, and fabrications—whether assembled or unassembled, coated, painted, anodized, or thermally improved. Relevant products in this category include, but are not limited to, solar panel racking rails and frames, solar tracker assemblies with gears, and electric vehicle battery trays.