Western aluminum industry urges G7 to curb state subsidies

[July 25, 2019]  LONDON (Reuters) - Western aluminum groups called on G7 leaders meeting next month in France to curb state subsidies that they regard as distorting global trade and fuelling overcapacity, they said on Thursday.

"We are calling on the G7 to take the lead for focused and decisive action ... to begin the process of setting new, more effective rules on subsidies and SOEs (state-owned enterprises) to put an end to such distortive practices," the groups said.

The statement by aluminum associations from the United States, Europe, Japan and Canada came ahead of a summit of the G7 group of rich nations in Biarritz, France on Aug. 24-26.

It cited a study http://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/
publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=TAD/TC(2018)5/FINAL&docLanguage=En by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) this year that said 17 international aluminum companies received up to $70 billion in state support during 2013-2017, with 85% of the support going to five Chinese firms.

China is the world's biggest aluminum producer, accounting for 57% of global primary output of 64.3 million tonnes in 2018.

"Time is running short as aluminum producers are under stronger pressure than ever. What we need now is a solution that is designed for the aluminum sector to ensure a sound future for all stakeholders," the statement said.

Aluminium plates are seen in a shop in Rome, Italy, August 3, 2018. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo

Benchmark aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange <CMAL3> have shed 35% percent since touching a peak in May 2011 as the market grappled with overproduction and high inventories.

The G7 groups the United States, France, Britain, Japan, Germany, Italy, Canada and the European Union.

Some of the world's biggest aluminum companies include Chinese firms Hongqiao <1378.HK> and Aluminum Corp of China Ltd <601600.SS>, <2600.HK>, Russia's Rusal <0486.HK> and Rio Tinto Alcan <RIO.L> <RIO.AX>.

(Reporting by Eric Onstad; Editing by Edmund Blair)

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