US Initiates Anti-Circumvention Investigation on Vietnamese Aluminum

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has officially initiated an anti-circumvention investigation of trade remedy duties on aluminum extrusions originating from Vietnam. This case raises concerns about the potential impact on legitimate Vietnamese aluminum exporters to the U.S. market.

The petitioners in this case are the U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition and several labor unions. They allege that aluminum extrusions from China are being processed or completed in Vietnam before being exported to the United States to evade the anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duties that the U.S. currently imposes on similar products from China.

Scope and Investigation Process

According to U.S. law, within 150 days from the initiation date (expected on December 4, 2025), the United States will issue a preliminary conclusion, and within 300 days from the initiation date (expected on May 4, 2026), the DOC will issue the final conclusion of the case. This timeline may be extended, but the total duration generally does not exceed 365 days (July 7, 2026).

Recommendations for Vietnamese Businesses

In response to this situation, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade) has issued important recommendations for the involved businesses:

• Full Cooperation: Businesses must cooperate fully with the U.S. investigating authority, providing accurate and complete information as requested and within the deadlines.
• Prove Origin: Companies need to establish a management and record-keeping system to prove that their raw materials do not originate from China. This is vital for products with numerous applications of aluminum in daily life and industry.
• Use Self-Certification Mechanism: Take advantage of the self-certification mechanism that allows Vietnamese exporters to certify that their products are not within the scope of the investigation.

This is not the first time the Vietnamese aluminum industry has faced such an investigation. A similar case occurred in 2019, highlighting the importance of complying with international trade regulations. Proving that products use alloys like 6061 aluminum or 5052 aluminum produced outside of China is a key factor.

This case once again emphasizes the role of aluminum in mechanics and manufacturing, while also serving as a warning to businesses about the need for supply chain transparency to protect sustainable business operations in international markets.