US–China Trade Daily Highlights | 2026-04-20
1) Executive Summary
Today’s briefing covers two trade remedy developments involving the U.S. Department of Commerce (International Trade Administration). Both events concern preliminary determinations of circumvention of antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on disposable aluminum containers from China. The determinations address production in Thailand and Vietnam that utilizes Chinese-origin aluminum foil. The policy instruments involved include AD/CVD circumvention inquiries, suspension of liquidation, and certification requirements for importers and exporters.
2) Updates by Authority
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
Disposable Aluminum Containers from Thailand — AD/CVD Circumvention (Preliminary Determination)
The U.S. Department of Commerce preliminarily determined that imports of disposable aluminum containers, pans, trays, and lids completed in Thailand using aluminum foil produced in China circumvent existing AD and CVD orders on aluminum containers from China. Commerce found that such products are sufficiently linked to Chinese production to fall within the scope of the original China orders. Interested parties may submit comments and request a hearing.
Key Details:
– Authority: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
– Policy Type: AD/CVD
– Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
– China Indicator: EXPLICIT
– Investigation Numbers: A-570-170, C-570-171 (Third-country case numbers A-549-170, C-549-171)
– Determination Date: April 15, 2026; Applicable April 20, 2026
– Action: Suspension of liquidation and cash deposit requirements for entries on or after October 28, 2024; certification mechanism established for non-Chinese aluminum foil inputs
– Comment Deadline: 14 days from Federal Register publication; rebuttals due 7 days thereafter
– Hearing Request Deadline: 30 days from publication
– Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/disposable-aluminum-containers-pans-trays-and-lids-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china-preliminary-affirmative-determination-of-circumvention-of-the-antidumping-duty-and-countervailing-duty-orders/
Disposable Aluminum Containers from Vietnam — AD/CVD Circumvention (Preliminary Determination)
Commerce preliminarily determined that aluminum containers, pans, trays, and lids completed in Vietnam using aluminum foil of Chinese origin circumvent the AD and CVD orders on aluminum containers from China. The country-wide finding includes suspension of liquidation requirements and imposes certification obligations for importers and exporters claiming non-Chinese inputs. Interested parties are invited to provide written comments and request hearings under standard administrative procedures.
Key Details:
– Authority: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
– Policy Type: AD/CVD
– Event Type: TRADE_REMEDY
– China Indicator: EXPLICIT
– Investigation Numbers: A-570-170, C-570-171 (Third-country case numbers A-552-170, C-552-171)
– Determination Date: April 15, 2026; Applicable April 20, 2026
– Action: Suspension of liquidation and cash deposit requirements for entries on or after October 28, 2024; certified non-Chinese aluminum sources may be exempted
– Comment Deadline: 14 days from publication; rebuttals due 7 days thereafter
– Hearing Request Deadline: 30 days from publication
– Link: https://lawyerfanzhang.com/disposable-aluminum-containers-pans-trays-and-lids-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china-preliminary-affirmative-determination-of-circumvention-of-the-antidumping-duty-and-countervailing-duty-orders-2/
3) Key Takeaways (Factual)
– The Department of Commerce issued parallel preliminary determinations addressing circumvention of AD/CVD orders on disposable aluminum containers from China.
– Both determinations apply to production in third countries—Thailand and Vietnam—using Chinese-origin aluminum foil.
– Commerce directed suspension of liquidation and collection of cash deposits for affected entries beginning October 28, 2024.
– Certification procedures are introduced for importers and exporters to document non-Chinese aluminum inputs.
– Public comment and hearing opportunities are available before Commerce issues final determinations.
4) Full Source Links (Index)
– Federal Register Notice – Thailand Aluminum Containers Circumvention Determination
– Federal Register Notice – Vietnam Aluminum Containers Circumvention Determination
5) Legal Disclaimer
This article includes content collected and summarized from publicly available U.S. government materials, including the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content presented is not an official government publication and does not represent the views of any U.S. government authority.
This article is provided for informational and research purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, compliance advice, or recommendations for any specific entity or transaction. Readers should refer to the original official documents and consult qualified professionals before making decisions based on this information.
