• Skip to main content

    AMU

    March 9, 2025

    Wittbecker on aluminum: Another Trump tariff flip-flop brings more market turmoil

    Written by Greg Wittbecker

    Last week saw more tariff turmoil as the Trump administration flip-flopped again. In case your scorecards are not up to date, here is where things stood at the end the week:

    • 1. Jan. 21: Promised tariffs on Canada and Mexico
    • 2. Feb. 1: Officially announced tariffs on Canada and Mexico
    • 3. Feb. 3: Delayed Canada and Mexico tariffs 30 days
    • 4. Feb. 27: Announced tariffs would go into effect March 4 for both countries
    • 5. March 4: Implemented the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico from midnight
    • 6. March 5: Suspended tariffs on autos for one month
    • 7. March 6: Suspended broad country-of-origin tariffs for one month, provided they comply with USMCA rules of origin

    Greg Wittbecker

    Read more from Greg Wittbecker

    Latest in AMU

    The words "Aluminum Market Update" in white against a dark blue background

    AMU: Edward Meir’s week in review and thoughts for the week of Oct. 12, 2026

    Base metals had a mixed week. Tin lost almost 4% on the week, finishing at $53,000/ton. Prices dropped to a low of $51,259/ton at one point. Aluminum was another loser, off by about 1.6% on the week. Investors are expecting more aluminum supply going forward, especially out of China and Indonesia. Copper prices tacked on 1.1%. They have now recovered more than half of the $700/ton loss sustained (over the course of a week) following reports/rumors in mid-September that US tariffs on refined copper imports might not proceed after all.