By Bob Tita

Alcoa says the tariff-inflated premiums that U.S. aluminum buyers are paying likely won't recede even if a deal is reached this year to scale back the 50% duty on aluminum from Canada.

Canada is the largest supplier of imported aluminum to the U.S., but it isn't the only one. As long as the 50% duty remains on imports from other countries, Alcoa Chief Executive William Oplinger said the premium would remain elevated, as suppliers seek to recoup the cost of tariffs.

The premium-a catch-all fee attached to aluminum purchases to cover costs for tariffs, transportation, warehousing and other expenses-is currently about $2,100 a metric ton. Alcoa said that is more than enough to cover the U.S. tariff that the company has to pay to ship aluminum from its plants in Canada to U.S. customers. That fee is on top of the $3,100 a ton price for aluminum on the London Metal Exchange.

"The tariffs in their entirety are getting passed on to customers," Oplinger said during a conference call with analysts.

Tariffs are expected to be a centerpiece when the trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico is reviewed later this year.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 22, 2026 19:30 ET (00:30 GMT)

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