From the front lines to the furnace: Aluminum’s role in American resilience
Memorial Day gives us a moment to reflect on the materials and industries that have supported American strength.
Category: Supply Chain Dynamics
Recycled metal exports bans - An idea that masks the problem
Domestic increases in mill capacity and a struggling recycling rate, amid China's relaxed UBC scrap import policy, fail to make the case for banning US exports.
Container bookings and prices surge
Average bookings for the seven days ended on May 14th skyrocketed, which could cause bottlenecks, as containers getting stripped and shipped from the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports
The downside of the US-China tariff rollback: Container lines’ price hikes
The container lines operating in this shipping lane were quick to respond to the expected surge in freight demand.
What Superior’s lost wheel contract says about regional sourcing
While Michigan-based Superior did not name the “large North American OEM customer”, the scale suggests a major Detroit-based automaker.
Tariff time out: US and China pause punitive measures
Since the aluminum market is subject to Section 232 tariffs of 25%, regardless of source, and which supersedes the 10% tariff, it would bring the effective tariff rate on aluminum products brought into the US from China to 45%.
Small deal, sharp edge: Litho sheet finds its niche in trade pact
Litho sheet is typically costly and a rare grade of scrap to come by. Unlike other more specific alloys, like 6061 or 5052, it can be consumed by just about anyone or added to just about any melt mix.
Aluminum takes the wheel: Passenger car reaches a crossroads
For domestic automotive manufacturers, first quarter earnings results defined by a familiar theme: suspended guidance and constant references to “tariff uncertainty”.
Mexico invests in port capacity despite U.S. tariff troubles
Mexico is moving ahead with plans to expand its Pacific port of Manzanillo despite some seemingly big headwinds.
What CRU’s new outlook could mean for the downstream aluminum market
CRU just took a red pen to its global economic forecast and they didn’t hold back. They’re calling this the biggest monthly downgrade since the pandemic, and tariffs are at the center of it.