The United States has adjusted its aluminum import tariffs, aiming to boost domestic aluminum production in the country.
July 21, 2026
US President Trump said on Monday that he had signed a notice to adjust tariffs on imported aluminum products to the US, and added that the current production of primary aluminum in the US is insufficient.
The following are the relevant quotations and details.
"The (business) minister believes that it is necessary to adjust the aluminum tariff system in order to more effectively encourage an increase in domestic primary aluminum production," Trump said in the announcement released by the White House.
The announcement states that currently, the demand for primary aluminum in the United States has exceeded the production capacity of the country's electrolytic aluminum plants.
White official stated that the announcement instructs the US Commerce Secretary to establish an incentive program for enterprises investing in the construction, expansion or renovation of aluminum smelting plants in the United States.
The White official stated in the announcement that this plan will require enterprises to submit plans for the return of production; if approved, these enterprises will be eligible to import primary aluminum equivalent to the reasonable expected annual output of primary aluminum from their US production facilities after the completion of the return project, with the import tax rate being half of the current Section 232 stipulated rate.
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 granted the President the authority to take adjustment measures against imported goods that were deemed to pose a threat to the national security of the United States.
