Senate Spending Bill Would Fund New Aluminum Monitoring Program

As Recycling Today reported, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations recently unveiled a spending bill that includes funding for a new federal aluminum import monitoring (AIM) system. Under the proposed bill, the committee would provide $1.3 million to the U.S. Department of Commerce for the program, which would help government officials and industry to identify trends in trade flows and address misclassification, transshipment, and evasion of duties.

Recycling Today noted, “The committee also encouraged the department to consult with the aluminum industry on implanting the program.”

The House version of this spending bill also includes funding for an AIM system. Lawmakers in the Senate and House are currently working to negotiate final spending legislation for fiscal year 2021 and they only have a few weeks to arrive at an agreement. A continuing resolution passed by lawmakers in September expires on December 11.

Canada and Mexico have created, or have pledged to create, programs similar to what has been proposed by U.S. lawmakers. Recycling Today reminded readers that, last year, Canada announced an expansion of its import monitoring system to include aluminum and aluminum products and Mexico also has committed to “prevent the importation of aluminum and steel that is unfairly subsidized and/or sold at dumped prices” and to “establish an agreed-upon process for monitoring aluminum and steel trade between them.”