Week in Review: Aluminum holds ground, but pressure builds beneath it
Week in Review: May 8, 2025
Category: Trade Policy and Tariffs
The U.S.-UK trade deal opens doors
The new trade deal between the U.S. and the United Kingdom (UK) is being called historic, and for good reason. It gives American producers better access to UK markets and puts a hard quota on British car exports. But for metals and recycling, the bigger story may be the creation of what officials are calling a new union for steel and aluminum.
Why FTZs and in-bond warehousing still matter in a tough tariff environment
With tariffs back on the table, aluminum companies are feeling the squeeze. While most attention has focused on cost hikes and policy shifts, some critical tools are still in play. Foreign trade zones (FTZ) and in-bond warehousing may not offer the same levers they once did, but they still give companies a way to manage risk, improve flexibility, and stay competitive - especially if you're handling LME-grade primary aluminum or shifting toward recycled inputs.
The new math of Trump's auto tariffs
The purpose of the tapered tariff reduction is to allow time to readjust supply lines or onshore manufacturing to the U.S., a phaseout that incentivizes shifts in components production.
April survey says things are steady, but the market’s telling a different story
April's survey paints a picture of a market holding steady, but it's far from smooth sailing.
Gears grinding: What tariffs mean for automakers and the metal behind them
“They need a little bit of time,” Trump said this week, referring to carmakers shifting their sourcing back to the U.S. “Because they’re going to make them here.”
Tariff talks define Alcoa's Q1
“It takes many years to build a new smelter and at least five to six smelters would be required to address the U.S. demand for primary aluminum” - Alcoa during Q1 2025 earnings call
Tariffs, flat scrap and slippery LME
A turbulent week in aluminum - Tariffs tighten, prices slip, and the scrap market holds its breath.
Heavy week for a light metal
Russian-origin metal comprised around 88% of open tonnages available in the LME at the end of last month.
A week after Liberation Day, the global economy got a 90-day “stay of execution”
Data centers are outbidding aluminum smelters for power, and its pricing U.S. manufacturing out of the market.