US-Mexico Trade Talks Stall Over Steel, Aluminum Tariffs Amid Election Season

Published: Oct 22, 2026 16:38 (GMT+8)
[SMM Aluminum Express News] US-Mexico trade negotiations stall over aluminum and steel tariffs as Washington resists proposed reductions. Trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico have reached an impasse over Section 232 tariffs, according to an October 21 Bloomberg report. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly opposed Mexico's requests to reduce the current 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum, including duties on downstream metal products. Mexico had sought tariff relief as part of a broader trade agreement, but disagreements have slowed negotiations, with significant progress potentially delayed until after the November 3 US midterm elections.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Australia Proposes A$3.7B Data Centre at Former Aluminum Smelter Site in NSW
28 mins ago
Australia Proposes A$3.7B Data Centre at Former Aluminum Smelter Site in NSW
Read More
Australia Proposes A$3.7B Data Centre at Former Aluminum Smelter Site in NSW
Australia Proposes A$3.7B Data Centre at Former Aluminum Smelter Site in NSW
[SMM Aluminum Express News] Australia proposes A$3.7 billion data centre at former Hydro aluminum smelter site in New South Wales. Data centre developer AirTrunk is advancing plans for a large-scale facility at the former Norsk Hydro Kurri Kurri aluminum smelter in the Hunter Region, New South Wales. The proposed development involves approximately A$3.7 billion in investment and 550.5 MW of power demand, repurposing a former industrial site with access to established electricity infrastructure. The smelter ceased aluminum production in 2012 and was permanently closed in 2014. The project is currently under public exhibition as a State Significant Development application, with environmental and planning approvals still pending.
28 mins ago
Vietnam's Aluminum Can Recovery at 93%, But Closed-Loop Recycling Stagnates at 1%
30 mins ago
Vietnam's Aluminum Can Recovery at 93%, But Closed-Loop Recycling Stagnates at 1%
Read More
Vietnam's Aluminum Can Recovery at 93%, But Closed-Loop Recycling Stagnates at 1%
Vietnam's Aluminum Can Recovery at 93%, But Closed-Loop Recycling Stagnates at 1%
[SMM Aluminum Express News] Vietnam's aluminum can recovery rate reaches 93%, but closed-loop recycling remains at just 1%. According to data presented by TBC-Ball Vietnam at a recent packaging industry workshop, approximately 93% of aluminum is recovered in Vietnam, while only 1% of aluminum cans are recycled into new cans. Around 79% of collected materials originate from the informal sector, highlighting challenges in scrap sorting, quality control and traceability. TBC-Ball Vietnam, a joint venture between Thai Beverage Can and Ball Corporation, is promoting closed-loop aluminum recycling to improve resource efficiency and reduce reliance on primary aluminum. The company is collaborating with the Southern Institute of Ecology and other stakeholders to develop an aluminum can collection and recycling model in Con Dao. According to TBC-Ball, recycling aluminum can save approximately 95% of the energy required for primary aluminum production. Improving closed-loop recycling could strengthen Vietnam's secondary aluminum supply chain and reduce demand for primary aluminum in beverage packaging. However, no new recycling capacity or investment value was disclosed.
30 mins ago
Supply-side marginal volume release versus sustained inventory destocking; short-term aluminum prices are expected to consolidate [SMM Aluminum Price Weekly Review]
35 mins ago
Supply-side marginal volume release versus sustained inventory destocking; short-term aluminum prices are expected to consolidate [SMM Aluminum Price Weekly Review]
Read More
Supply-side marginal volume release versus sustained inventory destocking; short-term aluminum prices are expected to consolidate [SMM Aluminum Price Weekly Review]
Supply-side marginal volume release versus sustained inventory destocking; short-term aluminum prices are expected to consolidate [SMM Aluminum Price Weekly Review]
[SMM Aluminum Price Weekly Review: Supply Marginal Increase Battles Continuous Inventory Reduction, Short-Term Aluminum Price Expectations Consolidate]
35 mins ago