APAA Demands Strict Adherence to 50% Aluminum Tariffs

APAA President Mark Duffy contends that the current tariff structure has catalyzed a resurgence in domestic production, citing smelter restarts in South Carolina and Missouri, alongside new rolling mills in Alabama and Mississippi. Among these developments, Oklahoma is hosting the construction of the first new U.S. aluminum smelter in half a century, a project projected to generate 5,000 jobs. Duffy warned that any dilution of the Section 232 program would jeopardize these capital investments.

The association is actively lobbying against the "Fortress North America" strategy promoted by the Government of Ontario. According to the APAA, this policy framework seeks to secure preferential market access for Canada while failing to curb the influx of unfairly traded aluminum from China and other global sources. To bolster its case, the organization released a video showcasing the Century Aluminum Mt. Holly smelter in South Carolina, which has returned to full capacity under current trade policies.

Historical data underscores the industry's volatility. In 2000, the United States operated 23 primary aluminum smelters; today, that number has dwindled to four. Following an exemption granted to Canada after the 2020 election, U.S. imports of Canadian aluminum spiked by 30%, while domestic production simultaneously contracted by 30%. The APAA maintains that maintaining the 50% levy is the only path to preventing further erosion of the domestic aluminum workforce.