European recyclers at risk of shortages due to US tariffs on aluminium

FI Group notes that the EU CBAM will require importers to pay for CO₂ emissions embodied in products such as aluminium from 2026

European recyclers could face supply problems as a result of U.S. tariffs on aluminum from Europe. This has been pointed out by Carlos Fernández Ávila, Head of Industry at FI Group, who stresses that the effect is especially relevant on recycled aluminium.

“The US has excluded scrap metal from the highest tariffs, applying only a 15% levy, which makes it particularly interesting for US smelters, who choose to import this waste and process it in their country instead of buying semi-finished products from Europe,” he explains.

The expert recalls that, in March 2025, the US administration reactivated 25% tariffs on European aluminium, doubling previous levies and extending them to more derived products, while setting a 50% tariff on key imports, including primary aluminium and steel. Faced with this situation, Fernández Ávila indicates that the European Commission announced possible retaliation for up to 18,000 million euros. The tension continued for several months, until in July the US threatened to impose a general tariff of 30% on all European products.

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