The U.S. ITA has delayed a preliminary decision on dumping of silicon metal from three countries to August 7 from June 1. That was done at the behest of the petitioner, and may be linked to the ongoing “section 232” investigation of the broader aluminum industry. Silicon metal is an input to aluminum production. Panjiva data shows imports in March fell for a fifth straight month, by 25% on a year earlier. However, that represented a 29% increase vs February. That would suggest market conditions are poor, but that exporters to the U.S. are not concerned about the case’s impact.