Century Aluminum Praises Trump's Order to Enforce Aluminum Tariffs

The executive order aims to close loopholes that importers have used to avoid paying full tariffs.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:52pm

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A close-up photograph of a polished aluminum ingot resting on a dark gray background, symbolizing the premium materials and industrial processes involved in primary aluminum production.A newly produced aluminum ingot, the raw material at the heart of the ongoing trade dispute over tariffs and domestic manufacturing.Chicago Today

Century Aluminum Company is applauding President Donald Trump's new executive order that will close valuation loopholes importers have been using to avoid the President's tariffs on steel and aluminum. The order clarifies that importers must declare the full value of covered products, promoting consistent enforcement and fair competition across the aluminum supply chain.

Why it matters

The Section 232 tariff on primary aluminum remains at 50 percent, and the executive order is intended to hold foreign companies accountable for unfair practices by closing loopholes that importers had previously tried to use to reduce their tariff liability, disadvantaging domestic manufacturers.

The details

Importers had been declaring only the value of raw steel and aluminum while excluding value added through processing, thereby lowering the tariff owed and disadvantaging domestic manufacturers. The order now requires importers to declare the full value of covered products.

  • The executive order was signed on April 2, 2026.

The players

Century Aluminum Company

A Chicago-based company that owns and operates primary aluminum smelting facilities in the United States and Iceland, and is the majority owner and managing partner of the Jamalco alumina refinery in Jamaica.

President Donald Trump

The former President who signed the executive order to close loopholes that importers had been using to avoid paying the full tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Jesse Gary

The CEO of Century Aluminum Company.

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What they’re saying

“Century Aluminum strongly supports President Trump's executive order, which defends American manufacturing and holds foreign companies accountable for unfair practices by closing loopholes that importers had previously tried to use to cheat the system.”

— Jesse Gary, CEO, Century Aluminum Company

What’s next

The executive order is expected to be fully implemented, with the 50% Section 232 tariff on primary aluminum remaining in place with no exemptions or exceptions.

The takeaway

This executive order reinforces the Trump administration's commitment to protecting American manufacturing by closing loopholes that had allowed importers to avoid paying the full tariffs on steel and aluminum, leveling the playing field for domestic producers like Century Aluminum.