- Call for stronger USMCA: aluminum Association CEO Charles Johnson urged renegotiation to curb subsidized Chinese aluminum and protect North American jobs and investment.
- Key proposals: The Association proposed five measures including an Aluminum Import Monitoring system in Mexico, tariff harmonization, stricter rules of origin, free flow of scrap, and Section 232 enforcement.
- Industry impact: Since 2016, members invested over $11 billion in U.S. operations, but loopholes in the current agreement threaten American production and job security.
“A strengthened USMCA must deliver a level playing field for North American manufacturers and workers,” Johnson stated. He highlighted that imports of Chinese aluminum coil into Mexico have jumped nearly 500% year-to-date compared to 2017, equating to the output of a major U.S. rolling mill.
The Aluminum Association proposed five key steps for a renegotiated USMCA:
1. Implement an Aluminum Import Monitoring (AIM) system in Mexico.
2. Harmonize aluminum tariffs across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
3. Strengthen rules of origin to prevent non-market aluminum from qualifying for preferential treatment.
4. Protect the free flow of aluminum scrap within North America.
5. Apply Section 232 tariffs to downstream products using unfairly traded metal.
Since 2016, members have invested over $11 billion in U.S. operations. Johnson warned that loopholes in the current agreement risk American jobs and production, urging a more enforceable and fair USMCA to safeguard the industry.
