US aluminum imports fall 25.6% on year in June amid 50% tariff: US Commerce

US imports of unwrought aluminum fell by 25.6% in June compared to the same month last year, according to data from the S&P Global Market Intelligence Global Trade Analytics Suite Aug. 5.

The US imported 285,000 mt of unwrought aluminum under HS code 7601 in June, compared to 383,100 mt in June 2024.

US President Donald Trump implemented 50% tariffs on all aluminum and steel imports June 4, leading to warnings from both the US and Canadian aluminum sectors that the move would reduce US access to critical Canadian aluminum supply. The Aluminium Association of Canada said the duty rate would force its producers to begin diverting some of their exports to EU customers. Two-thirds of primary aluminum consumed in the US is supplied by Canada, according to the US-based Aluminum Association.

June imports from Canada, the largest supplier of aluminum to the US, fell by 43.0% on the year. Canada shipped 132,700 mt of unwrought aluminum, compared to 232,600 mt in June of last year.

Aluminum giant Alcoa said in a July 16 earnings call it had redirected 100,000 mt of Canadian production away from US customers during Q2 in response to tariffs.

The steep decline in Canadian supply to the US was partially offset by an increase in shipments from more distant sources.

June shipments from India totaled 38,900 mt, more than doubling from 18,500 mt in June 2024.

Industry experts have previously said tariffs would spark a shift in trade flows that would see more Canadian aluminum sent to Europe, while the US supply gap would be filled by producers in India and the Middle East.