Category: Trade Policy and Tariffs

Recent earnings show stronger shipments in specific rolled products than extrusions, but changing automotive programs, billet supply disruptions and trade flows complicate broader market conclusions.

The $50-million project is expected to increase domestic primary production by about 10%. The plant had been operating at about 75% of its 230,000-metric-ton-per-year nameplate capacity.

Markets remain transfixed on developments in the Middle East

The incentive is geared toward companies who commit to building new facilities or expanding or refurbishing existing plants.

Alcoa cut its production guidance for alumina for the full year, citing issues at its Pinjarra refinery in Western Australia. Despite the ongoing Iran war upending aluminum supply chains, the company said alumina prices remained relatively stable.

Canadian aluminum exports to the US have continued to drop since the introduction of tariffs in March 2025, with a growing share shipping off to Europe and Mexico.

The first half of 2026 has been turbulent for the aluminum market, with the Iran war sparking the largest supply shock in the history of the industry, CRU Group said.

Government data show first-half automotive production remained concentrated in light trucks, while passenger car output, inventories and import flows followed a different path.

Additional attacks on commercial shipping, renewed US military operations and a resumed naval blockade coincided with aluminum prices recovering from early July lows.

Toyota's $3.6 billion San Antonio expansion will shift Tacoma production from Baja California, Mexico to Texas as USMCA talks continue.