European Parliament Backs Expanded CBAM for Downstream Aluminum and Steel Products from 2028

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) said its proposed acquisition of Aluminium Dunkerque is progressing, with the company working to secure the remaining regulatory approvals required to close the transaction. At its Q3 Board meeting on September 22, Chairman Khalid Al Rumaihi described the deal as an important step in Alba’s international expansion and its ambition to build a global low-carbon aluminum platform. Alba signed the agreement to acquire Aluminium Dunkerque in May 2026, with the transaction subsequently valued at around US$2.2 billion. Aluminium Dunkerque is the EU’s largest primary aluminum smelter, while Alba operates the world’s largest single-site aluminum smelter in Bahrain. The acquisition remains subject to outstanding regulatory approvals and has not yet closed. The Board also approved Alba’s preliminary 2027 Marketing Plan, while reviewing operational, commercial and governance matters. For aluminum supply, the main takeaway is that Alba remains committed to completing the Dunkerque acquisition despite the regional supply disruptions that affected its Bahrain operations earlier this year.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Guinea is seeking US financing for Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée’s (CBG) planned alumina refinery, as the country accelerates efforts to process more of its bauxite domestically. Guinea’s Mines Ministry said discussions were held on September 18 with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and US Export-Import Bank over potential involvement in financing the project. CBG aims to begin construction by the end of 2026, although the refinery’s financing requirement and potential US contribution have not yet been disclosed.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Mexico and the US have postponed their fourth round of bilateral trade negotiations from late September to potentially October, while technical discussions continue. Mexico’s Deputy Economy Minister for Foreign Trade Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez said the two sides are working toward an interim trade agreement covering nearly 90 issues. For aluminum, Mexico is seeking relief from US Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles. No agreement on a lower aluminum tariff rate has yet been reached, meaning Mexican aluminum exports remain exposed to the current US tariff measures while negotiations continue. An October negotiating round could provide the next indication of whether tariff relief is achievable.