The collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks helped the American aluminum industry. Here’s what Trump should do next.

The U.S. aluminum industry has faced years of tariff pressure and competition from foreign producers. Trade discussions between the United States and Canada broke down in 2025, which some analysts attribute to disagreements over tariff levels on aluminum products. The U.S. currently operates approximately 12 primary aluminum smelters, down from 18 in 2000, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Current aluminum tariffs stand at 10 percent on most imports, a rate set during the Trump administration's first term.

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