Jan. 22 --Chinese exports of unwrought aluminium surged 60,000 mt to 440,000 mt in December as domestic firms stepped up exports to US companies ahead of the Feb 1 ruling of the US Department of Commerce's investigations on anti-subsidy practices.

The increase was mainly from plate and strip products, according to SMM. Exports of aluminium plates to the US is expected to slow in January but the slowdown is likely to be offset by exports of cast-rolling coil from China to the rest of the world (excluding the US). Overall, SMM sees a decline in China's export of unwrought aluminium in January and a significant decrease of exports of aluminium plates, strips and foils to the US in 2018.

In a preliminary finding on January 12, the US International Trade Commission reached a consensus that imported aluminium alloy sheets from China do cause material harm to American producers. The US Department of Commerce is continuing investigations and is expected to make preliminary decisions on its anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations on February 1 and April 17, respectively.