The 50% Aluminum Tariff Was Supposed to Protect American Automakers | CUSMA 2026

 

 

 The 50% aluminum tariff on Canada was designed to pressure Canadian producers and protect American industry. By June 2026, American manufacturers were paying $6,200 per ton — among the world's highest aluminum costs — while Canadian producers were shipping record volumes to Europe under long-term contracts. We break down the netback economics that drove the supply redirection, why European manufacturers now have a structural cost advantage over American automakers on the same material, and what this means for F-150 buyers, EV pricing, and the CUSMA negotiation before July 1.

 

 

Source:      North Decoded