Industry insiders predict that Japan's bargaining strength in quarterly premium negotiations for aluminium will continue to erode due to the slowdown in imports of primary alloys, and because Japanese companies have divested their overseas smelters.

According to data from March 7, the weekly total bauxite port arrivals at Chinese ports reached 3.889 million tonnes, a decrease of 681,400 tonnes compared to the previous week.

The U.S. Midwest duty-paid aluminium premium at above 40 US cents a lb or nearly $900 a metric ton is up nearly 60% since the start of 2025 AUPc1.

The US has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports, set to impinge Australian companies from March 12.

Rio Tinto will supply METLEN with approximately 14.9 million tonnes of bauxite from the CBG mine in Guinea over an 11-year period, spanning from 2027 to 2037.

Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm has expressed caution regarding the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium, stating that the ultimate effect on the company remains uncertain.

Athens-listed industrial and energy company Metlen Energy & Metals has entered into two long-term strategic agreements with global mining major Rio Tinto, securing supply chain improvements in both bauxite and alumina.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Canada should consider putting export taxes on products such as aluminum to create leverage in negotiations with President Donald Trump’s administration.