Canada’s Aluminium Industry Condemns US Tariffs, Calls for Exemption to Protect North American Supply Chain
The imposition of 25% tariffs by the US on Canadian aluminium is being met with disappointment but not surprise by the Aluminium Association of Canada, which considers the move highly disruptive and counterproductive. Jean Simard, the association’s President and CEO, acknowledged the industry’s preparedness for the situation but expressed concern over its immediate economic repercussions, particularly for American workers and consumers. With Canadian aluminium serving as a critical input for over 500,000 American manufacturing jobs and contributing over $200 billion to the US economy, the tariffs risk undermining the deeply integrated North American supply chain that has long been a cornerstone of economic and industrial cooperation.
The Canadian aluminium sector, which has been a key player in North America’s economic and defense security for over a century, remains committed to preserving its industrial ecosystem in collaboration with both industry stakeholders and government officials. The industry plans to actively engage with US partners, including businesses, workers, and policymakers, to emphasize the essential role of Canadian aluminium in sustaining American manufacturing and economic stability. This outreach effort will seek to reinforce the argument that protectionist tariffs harm both sides of the border and are inconsistent with the long-standing economic integration that benefits all.
The industry’s primary concern remains the unfair trading practices of China, which has flooded the global market with subsidized aluminium, distorting prices and forcing the closure of smelters in North America. Canada has made concerted efforts to align with the US in addressing these issues, implementing measures such as a 25% surtax on Chinese aluminium imports and the establishment of a dedicated Market Watch Unit within the Canada Border Services Agency. Other protective steps include the introduction of an aluminium imports monitoring system and the world’s first real-time digital traceability system to track aluminium shipments and prevent transshipment abuses.
Given these extensive efforts to safeguard North America’s aluminium industry from non-market forces, Canada maintains that its aluminium exports should remain exempt from US tariffs. With the US producing only one million metric tons of primary aluminium annually but consuming six times that amount, restricting access to responsibly sourced Canadian metal will only escalate costs for American businesses and consumers, particularly at a time when inflation control remains a priority. The Canadian aluminium industry, therefore, urges a reconsideration of the tariffs in favor of policies that address the real threat to North American industrial security—unfair global trade practices rather than restrictions on trusted trading partners.