High US Electricity Costs, Not Tariffs, Stifle Aluminum Production
President Trump’s aluminum tariffs, intended to boost domestic production, have instead driven up costs for American consumers and led to smelter closures. The tariffs have increased regional delivery premiums, making aluminum significantly more expensive in the U.S. compared to Europe. This cost increase is passed on to downstream users, resulting in price hikes for products like car cargo boxes. High energy costs, exacerbated by competition from the tech sector, are the primary obstacle to reviving U.S. aluminum smelting.
John Q. Hosedrinker