On June 3, 2025, the U.S Trump administration imposed a 50% tariff on Aluminum production.
The Aluminum association of Canada in a press release has strongly opposed the 50% tariff warning it endangers North America’s integrated supply chain.
The Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC) represents the three Canadian world-class aluminium producers: Alcoa, Alouette, and Rio Tinto. Operating nine smelters in Canada, eight of which are in Quebec employing more than 9,500 workers.
The President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada Jean Simard said, “A 50% tariff on Canadian aluminium will suppress demand across the continent — whether the metal is produced in Canada or the U.S."
He added, “It will impact workers on both sides of the border and disrupt key sectors including defense, construction and automotive”.
The AAC says Priced at $1,349.50 per metric ton, the tariff makes Canadian exports to the U.S. unviable, pushing the industry to redirect trade towards the E.U.
Canada supplies 2.7 million metric tons of low -carbon aluminium to the U.S. every year - enough to power the state of Nevada and support more than 700,000 U.S. jobs. And for over a century, Canada and the U.S. have built a resilient aluminium industry vital for jobs, defense, and economic security.
The association concluded with the statement; Canadian aluminium is not — and will not be — a backdoor for unfair trade. Its continued exemption from U.S. tariffs is essential to safeguarding the shared North American aluminium value chain- Tariffs will only raise costs for U.S. manufacturers and consumers at a time of ongoing inflation concerns.
The ACC is urging Washington to focus on unfair trade from China, not Canada and stresses the need to protect North America’s shared aluminium supply chain.