Unwrought imports have dropped since March

Imports of unwrought aluminum have dropped steadily since March, when many companies were rushing to purchase materials ahead of the implementation of tariffs.

According to data from the International Trade Administration, March reached the highest level of imports for the year so far at 426,911 metric tons (t), a spike of 47.5% compared to the same month last year. However, imports have ticked downward since the burst of buying in the spring, falling to 199,760t in July. That’s a 38% drop from July 2024.

Tariffs on aluminum doubled to 50%, effective June 4, which has caused upheaval in a market that depends on imports for primary aluminum.

Pittsburgh-based Alcoa began to reroute product from its Canadian smelters normally destined for the U.S. to other customers during the second quarter. The company said it will continue to do so until the Midwest premium fully reflects the cost of tariffs applied in June.

In July, Alcoa also said it is pausing growth projects in Canada due to President Trump’s tariffs. Chief Executive Officer Bill Oplinger said the company is “looking very hard at capital investments” in Quebec.

Rio Tinto is another major player to get hit by the import taxes, reporting about $300 million in gross costs on its Canadian primary aluminum exports to the U.S. during the first half of the year.

By contrast, Century Aluminum plans to bring back online idled production capacity at its Mt. Holly smelter in South Carolina. The Chicago-based producer credits the Section 232 tariffs on primary aluminum.