ALFED formally submit its response to the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) consultation on the UK Trade Strategy.
The response identifies key challenges faced by the sector and outlines actionable recommendations to enhance the industry’s competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability.
Central to ALFED’s submission are the following key areas of focus:
- Energy Costs and Competitiveness: Calls for stabilising the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) relief mechanisms and reinvesting carbon pricing revenues into renewable energy support for energy-intensive industries.
- Post-Brexit Trade Complexities: Highlighting the pressing need to reintroduce diagonal cumulation of origin and streamline customs processes.
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): A need for adjustments to the UK’s CBAM policy to prevent market distortions and support the sector’s competitiveness.
- Recycling and Circular Economy: With a focus on sustainability, the need for policies that incentivise the retention of aluminium scrap domestically and within Europe, fostering a robust circular economy.
- Trade Defence and Fair Competition: Strengthening trade defence mechanisms to ensure a fair and competitive environment for UK aluminium producers and enable long-term industry growth.
“We are proud to have contributed to shaping the future of the UK’s trade policy,” said Nadine Bloxsome, CEO, ALFED. “Our submission highlights the critical need for a forward-thinking strategy that supports the aluminium industry’s growth and sustainability. We are eager to collaborate further with the Department for Business and Trade to implement these recommendations and unlock the full potential of our sector.”
Source: ALFED with additional information added by GlassBalkan