
According to the latest report from US Geological survey, total imports aluminium by the US for consumption in the first quarter of 2018 remained unchanged from those in the same period in 2017. Imports of crude metal and alloys, and scrap by the US decreased by 5% and 11%, respectively, but imports of semi-finished products increased by 30%.


Total exports of aluminium increased by 8% during the first 3 months of 2018 compared with those of the same period in 2017. Exports of crude metal and alloys, semi-finished products, and scrap increased by 12%, 6% and 9%, respectively, compared with those in the same period of 2017.

Canada continued to be the leading source of imported aluminium materials, supplying 41% of all aluminium imports during the first 3 months of 2018, followed by Russia (11%), the United Arab Emirates (10%), and China (8%). Canada accounted for 47% of crude metal, 18% of semi-finished products, and 59% of scrap imports. China accounted for 38% of semi-finished product imports. Mexico was the source of 23% of scrap imports.
The leading destinations for total aluminium product exports by the US during the first 3 months of 2018, in descending order were Mexico (27%), China (25%), and Canada (22%).
The data shows Canada remains the top crude metal supplier to the U.S. while China remains the top semi –finished product supplier and Mexico remains the top scrap supplier. Now, with Trump’s imposition of 10% import tariffs on aluminium imported from Canada and Mexico, the countries that were enjoying free trade partnership with the U.S. it is to be observed how the policy change impacts both the importer and the supplying countries.
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