United States: Effective June 8th, tariffs on primary aluminum products will be 50%, deeply processed products will be 25%, and 232 tariffs will be levied based on the full value of the goods
Eurasian Economic Union: China’s anti-dumping duty on aluminum strips extended to 2031, with a tax rate of 13.14%
EU: Launch anti-dumping sunset review on Chinese aluminum profiles, final ruling to be announced within 12 months
Within a month, the three major export markets tightened synchronously.
Chinese aluminum processing companies are facing unprecedented compliance cost pressure for their overseas orders.
But there are also opportunities for improvement during crises——
The tax rate for deep processed products is half that of raw material grade, and high value-added aluminum materials still maintain competitiveness in the European and American markets.
US: Tariff ‘Combination Fist’ Upgrades Again
On June 1st, the United States signed a new round of tariff adjustments, which officially came into effect on June 8th.
Core changes:
Primary aluminum products (aluminum coils, aluminum plates, aluminum strips, etc.): Import tariffs remain unchanged at 50%
Deep processed derivative products: a unified 25% tariff will be levied based on the full value of the goods by customs
232 tariff calculation method change: no longer taxed based on the value of metal contained in the goods, but based on the full declared value of the goods by the customs
This means that the operational space for reducing tax burden through “underreporting metal content” has been completely blocked. Both aluminum coils and aluminum components will experience a significant increase in tariff costs.
The impact on aluminum companies:
The export of low value-added aluminum sheet and strip to the United States has almost no profit margin, but the tax rate for deep processed products (such as precision aluminum foil, automotive aluminum parts, electronic shells, etc.) is only 25%, and the relative advantage still exists. The deeper the product is processed, the lower the tariff barrier.
Eurasian Economic Union: Anti dumping measures extended until 2031
The Eurasian Economic Commission has decided to extend the anti-dumping duty on aluminum strips originating in China until May 24, 2031, with a tax rate of 13.14% for Chinese products involved.
The member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, are important export markets for Chinese aluminum strip products. The additional tariff of 13.14% will directly squeeze the price advantage of Chinese aluminum strips.
The impact on aluminum companies:
It is difficult to break through through through price competition in the short term, and it is necessary to shift to higher value-added products or explore other emerging markets.
The way to break through: deep processing+diversification+tool hedging
The era of relying solely on price advantage in the face of barriers is over. Feasible coping strategies include:
1. Product upgrade: shifting from primary products to deep processing
The tax rate for deep processed products in the United States (25%) is only half of that for primary products (50%). High value-added products such as battery foil, automotive aluminum plate, and electronic aluminum foil not only have obvious tariff advantages, but also have strong bargaining power and large profit margins. The more refined the product, the lower the tariff.
2. Market diversification: Diversifying risks
Reduce dependence on the single market of Europe and America, and actively explore emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. From January to April 2026, China’s aluminum exports to the “the Belt and Road” countries grew significantly.
3. Overseas factory construction: Avoiding tariffs of origin
Top enterprises have established production bases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, directly supplying the European and American markets through overseas production capacity, fundamentally avoiding tariff barriers.
4. Make good use of futures and options tools
In the context of exchange rate fluctuations and fluctuating processing fees, using over-the-counter options to lock in profits and avoid price risks.
Post time: Jun-11-2026