The Aluminum Association urges action to boost the U.S. market.
Source: Resource Recycling（2025.10.21） 《Aluminum Association urges action to boost markets》 https://resource-recycling.com/recycling/2025/10/21/aluminum-association-urges-action-to-boost-markets/
The Aluminum Association recently urged the Trump administration to take additional measures to support the development of the domestic aluminum market and proposed banning the export of used beverage cans. As demand for aluminum from the automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors continues to rise, industry experts widely believe that strengthening domestic aluminum recycling has become an urgent priority.
Emerging Export Concerns
According to data from the Aluminum Association, the United States consumes between 5 and 6 million metric tons of scrap aluminum annually, yet exports more than 2 million metric tons. The Association noted that much of the exported scrap metal ultimately goes to non-market economies such as China, where it is reprocessed and later competes with U.S. manufacturers at unfair prices. The current U.S. trade deficit in aluminum scrap stands at approximately 1.3 million metric tons, but this gap has been narrowing gradually due to recent trade and tariff policies.
Ample Supply
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) offered a differing perspective. Citing market research reports, the organization stated that the supply of recyclable aluminum in the United States exceeds current consumption by more than four times, and is expected to remain above demand over the next 15 years. ReMA President Robin Wiener emphasized that the U.S. aluminum recycling market has a solid economic foundation, mature technology, and abundant resource reserves, concluding that any proposal to restrict exports is unnecessary.
