The European aluminium industry is pushing for a 30% export tax on aluminium scrap in an effort to retain recycling raw materials within the EU. Proponents argue that higher US Section 232 tariffs are causing more scrap to flow to the US. However, the data supporting this claim appears weak. 

In 2024, only 9,400 tonnes of aluminium scrap were exported to the US, representing just 0.7% of total exports. In contrast, India remains the largest buyer of European aluminium scrap, with a market share of nearly 30%. 

Critics suggest that EU producers should instead focus on their own exports, which have averaged over 2.1 million tons in recent years. This includes nearly 460,000 tonnes of unwrought aluminium, making it the second most significant export product by volume.