The U.S. International Trade Commission started a probe intothe trade of aluminum in the U.S. and overseas to determine the impact of lower-costimports on local smelters, Reuters reported, April 7, citing a report from the commission.

"The USITC will examine industry characteristics, recenttrade trends and developments, competitive strengths and weakness, factors drivingunwrought-production capacity increases, and government policies that affect aluminumproduction and exports in these countries," the commission said.

U.S. firms including GlencorePlc's troubledCentury Aluminum Co. unit,as well as United Co. RUSAL Plcare alleging that Chinese producers have been avoiding a 15% export tax on primaryaluminum by shipping fake semi-fabricated products to be re-melted at a later time.

The commission is expected to release the results of the investigationby June 2017.