News coverage on Friday, February 13, 2026, drew immediate attention across the metals supply chain. Multiple major outlets reported, based on unnamed sources, that the Administration was reviewing potential adjustments to elements of the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariff framework, including the treatment of certain derivative products. Shortly after, Administration officials walked those reports back and emphasized that no changes had been formally announced, and that any modifications, if pursued, would come through an official process and presidential action. With Section 232, much of the current focus is on the valuation and reporting mechanics that drive how duties are assessed on covered products. If the Administration issues a targeted clarification or fix, it should help bring more consistency to how the rules are applied. Based on recent public comments, it appears that kind of clarification could come sooner rather than later. At the same time, the...
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) has led the U.S. aluminum extrusion industry in achieving level competition by winning tariff protection that offsets unfair trade practices of extruders/importers of aluminum profiles produced in China. Our efforts have been of enormous value to domestic extruders and suppliers. Conservatively, an estimated 800 million pounds per year of extrusions are being produced in the U. S. that would have otherwise been lost to China.