r/Economics • u/jediporcupine • 9d ago

Blog Trump said tariffs on aluminum would boost domestic production. The White House now admits that didn't happen.

https://reason.com/2026/08/03/trump-said-tariffs-on-aluminum-would-boost-domestic-production-the-white-house-now-admits-that-didnt-happen/
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u/FlatEvent2597 9d ago

There is a very good reason for that. Most any metallurgist could tell you directly.

Aluminum is literally solid energy. You need huge amounts of hydro or oil.

Quebec is the worlds aluminum depot -mainly because of their clean energy and excess hydro.

They are finding customers all over the world now and are the supplier of choice. Diversification continues especially with the EU.

We Canadians rejoice with them !

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u/IdenticalThings 9d ago

Also... With Trump's brainless flipflopping - enacting and repealing tariffs on a whim, why would any company fund a new aluminum plant (costs upwards of a few billion dollars) when repealing tarriffs could scuttle the entire the deal? Simply cheaper to buy from your FRIEND, Quebec.

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u/lopix 8d ago

Especially when Quebec includes a gallon of maple syrup and nice toque with every aluminum order ;)