Trump Reacts as Canada Diverts Aluminum Exports Away From the U.S.

Former President Donald Trump is facing renewed criticism after Canada redirected large portions of its aluminum exports away from the United States, following aggressive U.S. tariff policies.

Legal analyst George Conway says the situation exposes a fundamental flaw in U.S. trade strategy. While the tariffs were promoted as a way to protect American workers and revive domestic aluminum production, the reality was far different.

The United States currently produces only a small fraction of the aluminum it consumes, relying heavily on imports — with Canada historically being its largest supplier. When tariffs were imposed, Canadian producers did not absorb the costs. Instead, they shifted exports to Europe, where buyers welcomed the supply without political uncertainty.

The result: aluminum shortages across U.S. manufacturing sectors, sharp price increases, and mounting pressure on industries like automotive, aerospace, construction, and beverage production — sectors that employ millions of Americans.

Conway argues that while a handful of domestic aluminum producers benefited from higher prices, the broader economy paid the price through inflation, job losses, delayed investments, and higher consumer costs.

Experts warn that once trade relationships shift, they are difficult to reverse. Canada’s pivot toward Europe may have long-term consequences, weakening U.S. supply chains and damaging America’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.

The aluminum dispute is now being cited as a cautionary example of how politically driven trade policies can backfire — turning economic nationalism into economic self-sabotage.