The Aluminum Association applauded the plan announced today by the Canadian government to impose a 25% tariff (or “surcharge”) on certain aluminum and aluminum products imported from China. Pending a public review and comment period, the tariffs are scheduled to be implemented on October 15. This move is consistent with long-standing calls by the Aluminum Association and our partners in Canada to strengthen trade enforcement throughout the region. This decisive move marks a significant step toward creating a fairer and more level playing field for aluminum production in North America.
The decision follows recent actions in the region to address unfair trade practices that have long impacted domestic aluminum producers, including increased monitoring and enforcement, as well as tariffs on unfairly traded metal imports from China, Russia and elsewhere.
Charles Johnson, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association, issued the following statement:
“Today’s decision is another example of a sensible and targeted trade policy that will help ensure North America remains one of the best places in the world to make aluminum products. In the United States alone, aluminum companies have invested more than $10 billion in new and expanded plants, including nearly $200 million this year alone. Actions like those announced today by Canada will ensure that these investments will pay off, creating jobs and capturing the growth in demand anticipated in the coming decades. North America has some of the cleanest aluminum production in the world thanks to low-carbon smelting in Canada, as well as the industry’s recycling efforts and technological advancement. Making more aluminum here is a win for both the regional economy and the environment. By working together with our T-MEC partner countries, we can ensure that the entire region’s aluminum production, manufacturing and recycling continues to thrive.”
Aluminum demand in North America (U.S. and Canada) increased 4.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, according to recent data from the Aluminum Association, the strongest results since 2022. Aluminum production is expected to grow by approximately 80% globally by 2050 thanks to demand for sustainable packaging, safe and efficient vehicles, greener buildings and vital infrastructure.
With sustainability being an increasingly important driver of future demand for the material, the Aluminum Association recently completed a report entitled “Pathways to Decarbonization: A Roadmap for Aluminum in North America,” which presents theoretical pathways to achieve industry-wide carbon emissions reductions consistent with the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2050 Net Zero Emissions targets. The report concluded that North America enjoys a significant carbon emissions advantage over much of the rest of the global aluminum industry. Looking ahead, access to abundant clean energy and investment in new technologies will be central to meeting ambitious mid-century emissions targets.
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