US aluminium buyers scramble for metal as Trump tariff looms

Rio Tinto, which smelts aluminium at NZ's Tiwai Pt, has plans in place for new US tariffs. (Image: Getty)

Fri, 21 Feb 2025

By Kirk MaltaisThe tariffs targeting aluminium imports into the US have buyers scrambling to procure the metal before the levies are expected to kick in and make imports more expensive.Aluminium buyers – which include manufacturers of products like automobiles, beverage cans and home appliances – are attempting to stock up on primary aluminium before the Trump administration raises the 10% tariff placed on the metal to 25% starting next month.The US is a deficit market for aluminium, meaning that demand for the metal is higher than...

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