In 2018, President Trump’s Section 232 tariffs helped save an industry in free fall. Once the tariffs were enacted:
- Primary aluminum production increased by more than 60%, revitalizing local economies and restoring hope for thousands of American workers.
- The aluminum industry launched over 55 new and expansion projects.
These tariffs proved that on a level playing field, American aluminum manufacturers can compete with anyone.
Unfortunately, under the Biden Administration, enforcement of these policies weakened. Exemptions and loopholes allowed foreign producers – including Canada, Australia, and Mexico – to flood U.S. markets with unfairly traded imports. Australia nearly doubled its aluminum exports to the U.S. Canadian imports surged far beyond historical norms. Meanwhile, China and Russia continued to evade tariffs through Mexico and Canada.
The consequences were devastating:
- 700 aluminum workers in Washington lost their jobs following the permanent closure of a major smelter in the state.
- A Hawesville, Kentucky smelter closed, resulting in the loss of 600 jobs.
- 400 aluminum workers lost their jobs following another permanent closure in Missouri.
Now, President Trump has taken bold new action: a 50% tariff on all foreign aluminum imports – no exemptions, no exceptions. This is the leadership required to prevent collapse, protect American jobs, and restore our industrial base.
Globalist elites who attack the Section 232 aluminum tariffs should study history. In 2018, the same arguments were made against the Section 232 tariffs, when in reality thousands of U.S. American aluminum jobs were created and smelters reopened, prior to Canada receiving an exemption. We’ve seen what America First trade policy can do – and we know it works.
AluminumNow.org stands with American workers and producers. We support policies that rebuild U.S. industry, protect national security, and secure our future.
