As the world awaits updates on US aluminum tariffs, several industry associations have shared their perspectives.
Donald Trump said he will announce 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the US that would affect “everybody’.
Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, issued the following statement:
"We appreciate President Trump’s continued focus on strong trade actions to support the aluminum industry in the United States. During his first term the president was early to recognise the genuine threat that non-market actors pose to U.S. manufacturing industries like ours. These actions helped lead to more than $10 billion in industry investment since 2016. In order for these investments to be successful and for American firms to make the cars, trucks, beverage cans, fighter jets, body armor and more that our industry provides, we need ready and affordable access to metal. Today, there is not enough smelting capacity in the United States to supply the growing aluminum industry with the input materials it needs.
To ensure that American aluminum wins the future, President Trump should secure access to the aluminum metal supply needed for American manufacturers, while continuing to take every possible action at the U.S. border against unfairly traded aluminum from China and elsewhere. This is consistent with action his administration wisely took during his first term and we are confident he will take again."
Jean Simard, President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada.
“We are disappointed, but we were expecting this and are ready for it”
“This situation will unfortunately impact workers and consumers in America with the immediate increase on the price of aluminium.”
Paul Voss, Director General, European Aluminium:
"We need to see the detail in writing before we can provide an official reaction. Slightly less officially, it seems to me on the face of it that this would be an unfortunate and unhelpful move that wouldn’t help anybody on either side of the Atlantic with anything.
Until we get more clarity, I can only say that we are busy talking with as many relevant people/institutions as we can to better understand the situation and reflect together on how to move forward."
Nadine Bloxsome, CEO of Aluminium Federation (ALFED) commented:
"The UK Government appears to be downplaying the impact of these tariffs... The reality is that this move would not only increase costs for UK aluminium exporters but also destabilise supply chains, force businesses to seek alternative markets, and create trade distortions that could flood the UK with low-cost aluminium imports from countries redirected out of the US market.
"This is not just a trade issue, it’s an economic and industrial concern... Without robust trade protections and policy interventions, we risk falling behind in an increasingly protectionist global market."
She disclosed that ALFED is engaging with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to push for greater recognition of these risks, but called for the industry to voice their opinions.