American Aluminum Alliance targets downstream tariff costs

The American Aluminum Alliance has formed to represent downstream US aluminum manufacturers in federal trade policy debates. The group is focusing first on Section 232 tariffs and the Midwest Premium.

The Alliance was incorporated in Washington, D.C., in August. Its founding board adopted bylaws and elected officers on Aug. 4, according to the organization. The group describes itself as a trade association for US companies at the downstream end of the aluminum value chain. It says those manufacturers have lacked organized representation focused on their specific policy concerns.

Downstream aluminum group takes shape

The group’s formation adds a downstream-specific voice to an industry already served by other organizations. The Alliance says it does not intend to duplicate or oppose existing industry groups. Several Alliance companies also belong to those organizations, according to the alliance.

Chris Boyd, managing partner and CEO of aluminum fencing, gate and railing manufacturer Antebellum Manufacturing, chairs the board. Don Everard, CEO and owner of aluminum ramp and accessibility products manufacturer EZ-ACCESS, is first vice chair. Dan Knight, CEO of aluminum extruder Flextrude, is second vice chair and secretary. Brook Massey, CEO and owner of architectural aluminum extruder MI Metals, serves as treasurer.

Other directors represent Ameristar Perimeter Security, a manufacturer of aluminum fencing and perimeter security products; Catalyst Fence Solutions, which makes fencing and outdoor living products, and FALCO, a hard alloy extruder serving aerospace, defense and medical applications. The board also includes Tower Extrusions, which combines aluminum extrusion with fabrication and finishing, and iDeal Aluminum, a manufacturer of aluminum gates, fences and railing.

Midwest Premium enters policy agenda

Much of the group’s cost argument centers on the Midwest Premium.

The Alliance argues the tariff becomes embedded in the premium regardless of where the aluminum originated. Under the group’s interpretation, domestic and recycled metal therefore carry a price effect tied to the Section 232 duty.

The Alliance backs an Aug. 6 letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick from Rep. Scott Fitzgerald and a bipartisan group of 58 members of Congress. The lawmakers asked Commerce to investigate what they called “pricing irregularities” in domestic aluminum sales. They said the Midwest Premium currently incorporates the 50% tariff regardless of the aluminum’s origin. As a result, they said domestically sourced and recycled aluminum are priced with the same imputed duty as imported metal.

The letter also separates the Midwest Premium from the underlying LME aluminum price. It describes the premium as an estimate of US delivery costs based on bids and offers from upstream producers and traders.

Fitzgerald and the other lawmakers asked Commerce to conduct the investigation in consultation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other agencies. They want to review to examine how the premium is calculated and whether its price-reporting methodologies are appropriate. They also asked Commerce to examine how the premium affects recycled content use, citing beverage cans as an example.

The American Aluminum Alliance said it supports the congressional request and is prepared to provide manufacturer data for the review, as a Midwest Premium review is among the group’s six intended areas of federal engagement.

Smelting case turns to power costs

The group says it supports US primary aluminum production as well as downstream manufacturing. It disputes whether a tariff on primary metal can restore smelting capacity by itself.

It cited the US Geological Survey’s Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, which put US primary aluminum production at 660,000 metric tons in 2025 and net import reliance at 60% of apparent consumption.

The organization additionally cited the Aluminum Association’s 2025 Powering Up American Aluminum roadmap, which put electricity use at 14,821 kilowatt-hours per metric ton of primary aluminum. The report said new US smelting capacity would require a power contract of at least 20 years at or below $40 per megawatt-hour. It put Canadian smelter power costs at $26.50-441.00 per megawatt-hour.

The alliance calls for long-term industrial power agreements to support new smelting. It wants public and private partners to secure contracts at rates competitive with other smelting regions.

The group also addressed the White House’s July 20, primary aluminum onshoring incentive. Under the program, companies with approved plans to build, expand or restart US smelters may import a commensurate amount of primary aluminum at half the otherwise applicable Section 232 tariff rate.

While the group agrees domestic primary supply is insufficient, it argues the program does not address long-term electricity costs.

For now, the American Aluminum Alliance plans to work with the Commerce Department and Congress on its stated agenda. It also identifies the Office of the US Trade Representative as a venue for its policy work.

Chairman Boyd summarized the group’s position: “We are not asking for a favor. We are asking to be counted.”

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.