The Aluminum Shock Hitting the Global Economy

The global aluminum market is being squeezed by two powerful forces at once: conflict in the Middle East and rising US tariffs. Industry executives say disruptions to production and shipping in the Gulf region are removing significant supply from global markets just as tariffs are already pushing prices higher for American buyers. Jean Simard of the Aluminium Association of Canada warns the full impact of blocked shipments and damaged smelters has yet to hit North America, while Norsk Hydro executive Trond Christophersen says Asian markets are facing even greater physical supply risks. For manufacturers like Minnesota-based Wolf Tooth Components, the combination of tariffs, supply disruptions and surging demand from AI data centers is driving costs sharply higher and creating new uncertainty across the aluminum supply chain.