
West Coast port congestion
West Coast congestion returns as tariff chaos fuels container surge.
West Coast congestion returns as tariff chaos fuels container surge.
The billet market has been quiet in 2025 so far, but extruders exposed to the spot market are now facing some challenges.
Average bookings for the seven days ended on May 14th skyrocketed, which could cause bottlenecks, as containers getting stripped and shipped from the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports
The container lines operating in this shipping lane were quick to respond to the expected surge in freight demand.
Since March 21 when UAE announced plans to invest $1.4 trillion in the US, including an aluminum smelter, the market has been waiting for details. Now, we have some.
Litho sheet is typically costly and a rare grade of scrap to come by. Unlike other more specific alloys, like 6061 or 5052, it can be consumed by just about anyone or added to just about any melt mix.
Since the aluminum market is subject to Section 232 tariffs of 25%, regardless of source, and which supersedes the 10% tariff, it would bring the effective tariff rate on aluminum products brought into the US from China to 45%.
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.
I don’t want to be the grandparent telling number one grandchild that Santa bailed out on Christmas this year and there won’t be any toys coming (from China).
The ruling might not be the last word – but it’s a signal on where future cases my land.