China allows more time for low-tax aluminium trade

Aiming to cool its power-hungry aluminium sector, China will retain a low-tariff policy until the third quarter of 2005, enabling many smelters to avoid immediate closure. The delay in ending tolling and processing provisions will prompt smelters to export large amounts of the metal in the next few months and rush to import alumina, their main raw material. (Reuters - 04/25/05)