The US has released new procedures allowing steel and aluminum producers in Canada and Mexico to qualify for reduced Section 232 tariffs. But only if they commit to building new production in the US.
Aluminum executives say geopolitical tensions are reshaping logistics and trade flows, but demand remains stable as the supply chain adapts to ongoing disruptions.
Extruders flagged mounting Gulf supply risks, tight US inventories, and a shift toward scrap-driven billet economics.
Rio Tinto's aluminum supply agreement with Prysmian highlights tightening redraw rod availability in North America as tariffs, smelter closures and cable demand reshape supply.
The company expects to invest more in 2026.
Recent earnings from major HVAC manufacturers show residential demand constrained by channel adjustments, while commercial activity - especially in the Americas - remains the primary source of volume support.
With LME contango insufficient to cover financing and storage costs, the aluminum market has shifted the burden of carry onto physical premiums, forcing traders to rely on premium appreciation to keep inventory economically viable.
Non-residential construction indicators show how planning and backlog shaped aluminum demand heading into 2026.
Southwire is expanding the footprint of its Heflin, Alabama cable plant and intends to outfit the additional space with new aluminum-capable drawing and medium-voltage cable production equipment.
In a rare Section 403 filing, the Department of Energy formally argued that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission already has the legal authority to directly regulate large-load grid interconnections.