Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Why this market is moving now
- Tariffs on most aluminum imports doubled to 50% on 4 June 2025 and were restated at 50% for most articles from 6 April 2026.
- Import reliance remains high at 60% of apparent consumption, so tariff changes feed straight into US prices.
- The average US market price rose 39% in 2025, which supports restarts of idled capacity.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| US primary aluminum production was an estimated 660 thousand metric tons in 2025, down from 676 thousand in 2024. | 660 thousand metric tons | 2025 | U.S. Geological Survey |
| US smelter capacity was 1.31 million metric tons a year in 2025, unchanged from 2024, across six primary smelters run by three companies. | 1.31 million metric tons per year | 2025 | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Net import reliance was an estimated 60% of US apparent aluminum consumption in 2025, against 62% in 2024. | 60 % | 2025 | U.S. Geological Survey |
| US imports of crude and semi-fabricated aluminum products were an estimated 4.4 million metric tons in 2025, down from 4.84 million in 2024. | 4,400 thousand metric tons | 2025 | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Canada supplied 56% of US aluminum imports over 2021-24, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 8%. | 56 % | 2024 | U.S. Geological Survey |
| The estimated average US market price for aluminum rose 39% in 2025 from 2024, to about 180 cents per pound. | 180 cents per pound | 2025 | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Transportation took 36% of US aluminum consumption in 2025, packaging 24% and building 13%. | 36 % | 2025 | U.S. Geological Survey |
| The US raised Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel from 25% to 50% on 4 June 2025. | 50 % | 2025 | The White House |
| A proclamation of 2 April 2026, effective 6 April 2026, kept a 50% rate for all aluminum articles, with 25% for qualifying UK products and 10% for derivatives made wholly of US-smelted aluminum. | 50 % | 2026 | The White House |
| Mt. Holly in South Carolina has about 230,000 tonnes a year of primary aluminum capacity, and Century Aluminum began restoring its curtailed capacity in August 2025. | 230,000 tonnes per year | 2025 | Century Aluminum Company |
| Alcoa's US smelters at Warrick (Indiana) and Massena West (New York) had nameplate capacity of 215 and 130 thousand metric tons a year at end-2025. | 345 thousand metric tons per year | 2025 | Alcoa Corporation |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- U.S. Geological Survey: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum (2026-02)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
Production: Primary 889 861 750 676 660
- Figure 2
Domestic smelter capacity was 1.31 million tons per year in 2025, unchanged from that in 2024.
- Figure 3
Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption 61 66 63 62 60
- Figure 4
Crude and semi-fabricated products 4,940 5,730 4,900 4,840 4,400
- Figure 5
Import Sources (2021–24): Canada, 56%; United Arab Emirates, 8%; Bahrain, 4%; China, 3%; and other, 29%.
- Figure 6
Price, ingot, average U.S. market (spot), cents per pound 138.5 152.6 125.9 129.5 180
- Figure 7
Transportation applications accounted for 36% of domestic consumption; the remainder was used in packaging, 24%; building, 13%
- Figure 1
- The White House: Adjusting Imports of Aluminum and Steel into the United States (2025-06-03)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
from 25 percent ad valorem to 50 percent ad valorem effective as of 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 4, 2025.
- Figure 8
- The White House: Strengthening Actions Taken to Adjust Imports of Aluminum, Steel, and Copper Into the United States (2026-04-02)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
most copper articles, and certain derivative articles of aluminum and steel, as listed in Annex I-A to this proclamation, shall be: (a) 50 percent
- Figure 9
- Century Aluminum Company: Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (2026)
Quoted lines
- Figure 10
Mt. Holly has an annual production capacity of approximately 230,000 tonnes of primary aluminum.
- Figure 10
- Alcoa Corporation: Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 (2026)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
United States Massena West, NY 130 130 Evansville, IN (Warrick) 215 215
- Figure 11
Companies to watch
Century Aluminum
Operates the Mt. Holly smelter in South Carolina, about 230,000 tonnes a year, and began restoring curtailed capacity in August 2025.
Alcoa
Runs the Warrick (Indiana) and Massena West (New York) smelters, 215 and 130 thousand tonnes a year of nameplate capacity.
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the United States market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
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Frequently asked questions
How much primary aluminum does the US produce?
The USGS estimates US primary aluminum production at 660 thousand metric tons in 2025, down from 889 thousand in 2021. Capacity was 1.31 million tons a year.
What is the US tariff on aluminum imports?
The White House raised Section 232 tariffs on aluminum to 50% on 4 June 2025. An April 2026 proclamation kept 50% for most articles, with 25% for qualifying UK products.
How much aluminum does the US import?
The USGS estimates crude and semi-fabricated imports at 4.4 million metric tons in 2025. Net import reliance was 60% of apparent consumption.
Which country sends the most aluminum to the US?
Canada supplied 56% of US aluminum imports over 2021-24, according to the USGS. The United Arab Emirates followed at 8%.
Who uses aluminum in the US?
The USGS says transportation took 36% of US aluminum consumption in 2025, packaging 24% and building 13%.
What did aluminum cost in 2025?
The USGS puts the 2025 average US market price at about 180 cents per pound, a 39% increase on 2024.
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