Charles Johnson, president & chief executive officer of the Aluminum Association, issued the following statement in response to president Trump’s proclamation that issues 25 percent across-the-board aluminum tariffs:
“We appreciate President Trump’s continued focus on strong trade actions to support the aluminum industry in the United States. During his first term the president was early to recognize the genuine threat that non-market actors pose to U.S. manufacturing industries like ours. These actions helped lead to more than $10 billion in industry investment since 2016. In order for these investments to be successful and for American firms to make the cars, trucks, beverage cans, fighter jets, body armor and more that our industry provides, we need ready and affordable access to metal. Today, there is not enough smelting capacity in the United States to supply the growing aluminum industry with the input materials it needs.
To ensure that American aluminum wins the future, President Trump should secure access to the aluminum metal supply needed for American manufacturers, while continuing to take every possible action at the U.S. border against unfairly traded aluminum from China and elsewhere. This is consistent with action his administration wisely took during his first term and we are confident he will take again.”
Published April 2025
