Tariff
US aluminium industry highlights importance of domestic smelting capacity for national security
The United States needs a stronger domestic primary aluminium industry to support national security, military equipment and critical infrastructure, according to an economic analysis by Adam Hersh, an economist and research fellow at the University of Massachusetts. Hersh presented the findings at a press event in Washington, D.C. He highlighted the need for domestic production of high-purity aluminium used in military applications. He said the US currently has no operating smelters capable of producing this specialised aluminium, leaving the country reliant on overseas supplies and exposed to possible supply disruptions. The report points to a major change in US aluminium production over the past 25 years. In 2000, the country accounted for around 15 per cent of global aluminium...
US aluminum tariffs raise Canadian craft brewers’ costs as 75% of Ontario beer is sold in cans
Canadian craft breweries are facing higher production costs as US tariffs on aluminum increase the price of beer cans, forcing smaller businesses to absorb some of the extra expense or pass it on to customers. Wesley Burbidge, who opened Brew Revolution in 2019 to offer affordable craft beer to his community, said the latest US tariffs have made it harder to keep prices down. Although the brewery managed to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, rising material costs have forced it to adjust its pricing. According to a 2024 report by Beer Canada, around 75 per cent of beer sold in Ontario was packaged in aluminum cans, compared with 43 per cent in 2014. Burbidge said Brew Revolution was trying to limit the impact on customers as the cost of materials increased. He said, “As we see our material...
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15th International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Conference & Exhibition - IBAAS–VFMSTA 2026
ICSOBA 2026 - 44th International Conference and Exhibition
SMM AICE 2026 Southeast Asia Aluminum Conference
15th International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Conference & Exhibition - IBAAS–VFMSTA 2026
ICSOBA 2026 - 44th International Conference and Exhibition
SMM AICE 2026 Southeast Asia Aluminum Conference
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
LEARN MOREGlobal EV sales to hit 35.4 million by 2030, with aluminium usage forecast to rise 38% in North America & 79% in China
AL Circle analysis: How do Germany’s 32.8% automotive aluminium share, 40% Diet Coke can price rise & 3.54Mt North American extrusion demand matter?
AL Circle Analysis: Guinea’s 150Mt bauxite cap, China’s import swings, US tariffs draw aluminium Q4’26
EU approves Germany’s power relief instrument: Could aluminium producers save €459m annually?
North America’s aluminum extrusion demand set to reach 3.54Mt by 2035: The end-use sectors behind the climb
News
US tariffs on Canadian aluminium cut Port of Oswego shipments by two-thirds
The Port of Oswego Authority has called for a temporary suspension of US tariffs on Canadian goods, saying the 50 per cent duty on Canadian aluminum is reducing shipments, working hours and revenue. Tom Drumm, executive director of the Port of Oswego Authority, said the tariffs have made an already difficult business environment more challenging. In a recent interview, he called for an economic ceasefire to give Great Lakes ports, customers and suppliers some relief before the end of 2026. In his words, “It's an economic ceasefire, in its most simplest terms… if the Great Lakes could get some breathing room here the next two months, it would really set us up for success heading into 2027.” Between April and October 2023, the port handled around 60,000 tons of aluminum across 11 vessel...
Mexico seeks US tariff relief on aluminium, steel and vehicles before end of 2026
Mexico hopes to secure a favourable response from the United States to its request for lower tariffs on aluminium, steel and vehicles before the end of 2026, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said. The Trump administration imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Mexican aluminium and steel and 25 per cent tariffs on vehicles, with an exemption for vehicles with US content. The duties were introduced on national security grounds under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act. Speaking at a press conference in Mexico City, the Economy Minister said Mexican officials had presented technical arguments and supporting evidence to US authorities to justify reducing the tariffs. He argued that the United States runs a steel trade surplus with Mexico, making the tariffs on the metal unjustified from the...
Ghana urged to unlock bauxite export opportunities through China and AfCFTA
Ghana should develop a clear strategy to expand bauxite exports, strengthen value addition and take advantage of emerging international markets, rather than focusing solely on membership of global economic blocs such as BRICS, Africa Prosperity Network founder and Executive Chairman Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has said. Otchere-Darko argued that Ghana must prioritise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and intra-African trade while preparing to benefit from China's reported zero-tariff initiative for 53 African countries. His remarks highlighted the need for the country to translate access to international markets into tangible economic gains, including opportunities for commodity sectors such as bauxite. “Because if you're not careful, your relevance will be reduced to...
Rio Tinto Q3 2026: 10% alumina growth offsets 4% bauxite dip; aluminium output stays firm
Rio Tinto’s third-quarter (Q3) 2026 production results report contrasting trends across its aluminium value chain, with bauxite production declining 4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), alumina output amounting to 6.11 million tonnes and primary aluminium stood at 2.52 million tonnes. The company maintained its full-year 2026 production guidance for all three commodities, while highlighting operational improvements, upcoming refinery constraints and progress on Pacific aluminium smelter repowering. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott stated, “We delivered strong operational performance in the third quarter.” He further highlighted progress on decarbonisation, noting that the company’s “Pacific Aluminium smelter repowering arrangements” were “now well progressed.” Explore the production,...
Vietnam’s proposed aluminium export tax cuts draw VCCI support, with call for wider 0% rates
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has welcomed Vietnam’s proposed cuts to aluminium export taxes but urged the Ministry of Finance to go further by reducing rates to 0 per cent for additional products. The move could help domestic producers clear excess inventory, ease cash flow pressures and improve competitiveness. The proposal comes as Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance prepares amendments to Decree 26/2023/ND-CP, which governs export and import tax rates. The changes aim to address difficulties businesses face amid volatile international markets, including aluminium producers seeking sales contracts for 2027. The draft decree proposes reducing the export tax floor from 5 per cent to 0 per cent for six groups of aluminium and wood products (76.01, 76.03, 76.04, 44.02,...
Small businesses await US tariff refunds as shipping firms process claims
Small businesses are facing delays in receiving refunds for tariffs struck down by the US Supreme Court, with companies that paid duties through shipping firms such as FedEx, DHL and UPS waiting longer to recover their money. Asher Rapkin, owner of California watch retailer Collective Horology, said he submitted paperwork in March to recover USD 164,000 in tariffs but did not receive any money until September. He initially received a USD 59,200 wire transfer without an explanation of which transactions had been refunded. FedEx said it is focusing on precision and regulatory compliance and has already released hundreds of millions of dollars. The company said it must check each claim, verify millions of entries and match them with corresponding US government data. Once customers submit...
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