The Aluminum Association of the United States says the industry shows resilience: Recycling capacity coming online fills the gap
April 28, 2026
Faced with multiple challenges such as the Middle East war, trade tariffs, and high prices, officials from the Aluminum Association of the United States stated on April 23 that the U.S. aluminum industry is demonstrating strong adaptability and resilience.
Association president Chuck Johnson said in a conference call that member companies’ supply chains are being "adjusted in real time," but as the conflict continues, the impact on the supply chain could be "more profound."
Data shows that by 2025, the Gulf region accounted for about 22% of U.S. imports of primary aluminum and aluminum alloys. However, two smelters in the region have already been attacked by Iran, and other suppliers are unable to ship through conventional channels due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Association vice president Kelly Thomas pointed out that metals from other smelters and countries are entering the U.S., stating, "The good news is this is a global industry; the material exists, the problem is just how to get it to the U.S."
Duncan Pizziford, president of Norsk Hydro’s U.S. operations, added that domestically invested aluminum recycling capacity is gradually coming online, which can replace part of the imported metal.
According to the Association's preliminary statistics, U.S. aluminum demand in 2025 is expected to be the same as in 2024.
Johnson said that tariff effects and market uncertainty may have caused some demand destruction, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Last year, the Trump administration imposed a 50% tariff on imported aluminum and made partial adjustments earlier this month. Johnson said the move "plugged a key loophole that allowed unfairly traded aluminum to enter the U.S. market through downstream goods."
