Global Trade
July 21, 2026
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
The US has offered to cut aluminum tariffs in half for companies that plan to expand primary aluminum production by January 2029, according to a proclamation President Trump signed Monday.
The incentive is geared toward companies that commit to building new facilities or expanding or refurbishing existing plants. Most aluminum imports face a 50% tariff under Section 232.
EGA has restarted 631 of Al Taweelah’s 1,262 reduction cells and still expects the smelter to return to full production in Q1 2027.
Recycler forward views shifted toward undersupply in October even as Midwest Premium and UBC expectations moved lower.
Aluminum sheet lead times rose modestly in October, while broader supply indicators remained largely stable after September’s shift.
Alcoa expects two other unnamed sites to follow the Massena East sale.
A Luxembourg court withdrew an order blocking a potential sale of Ardagh Metal Packaging, allowing Ardagh Holdings to resume preparations.
