The Aluminum Association, voiced its strong support for the initiation of global trade negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a statement released today by its membership in Washington. The association believes the free flow of aluminum products on a global scale is vital to the future success of the US aluminum industry and that the upcoming WTO round will achieve this goal.
"The Association supports a comprehensive approach to the phased-in reduction and elimination of tariffs over a multi-year period, not to exceed ten years," said Brian W. Sturgell, chairman of the association. "In addition, we believe that all aluminum producing, importing and exporting countries should participate in the round."
The leading aluminum producing countries include the United States, Russia, Canada, the European Union, China, Australia, Brazil, Norway, South Africa, Venezuela, the Gulf States—Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and New Zealand. Together they represent more than 90 percent of the world primary aluminum production. The largest aluminum markets are North America, Europe and East Asia.
The largest aluminum producers are multinational companies with production, fabricating and distribution facilities around the world. During 2000, world primary aluminum production totaled an estimated 24 million metric tons.
The US is both a major importer and exporter of aluminum. In 2000 approximately 33.5 percent of the US supply of aluminum was imported in from foreign producers in the form of primary ingot and scrap. In 2000, US exports amounted to 11.4 percent of US producer shipments in the form of ingot, scrap and mill products.
The members of The Aluminum Association are domestic producers of primary and secondary ingot, aluminum mill products and castings. Mill products include sheet and plate, foil, extrusions, forgings and impacts, electrical conductor, and wire, rod and bar. The membership also includes producers of master alloys and additives and aluminum pigments and powders.
The Aluminum industry operates about 470 plants in 40 US states, employs nearly 100,000 people with approximately $3.5 billion in total payroll. While Association member companies conduct business worldwide, the US aluminum industry ranks first in the world in annual primary aluminum production capacity, accounting for about 16 percent of world supply or over four million metric tons of metal.
The Aluminum Association, based in Washington, DC, with offices in Detroit, MI, represents US and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, recyclers, and producers of semi-fabricated products and company that supply products and services to the association. Member companies operate about 200 plants in the US and conduct business worldwide. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
