Introduced on June 4, 2025, the 50 per cent aluminium tariff was meant to support US producers as economic tensions grew between Western countries and the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) but it has triggered widespread disruptions in supply chains, driving up costs and compelling companies from automakers to beverage manufacturers and luxury brands to swiftly adjust their strategies.
Aluminium plays a crucial role in many products, valued for its lightweight, strength, and flexibility, especially in cars, packaging, construction, and luxury goods. The tariff effectively doubled the cost of imported aluminium, pushing prices up by 40 per cent to 60 per cent for many companies relying on foreign supply.
