The Aluminium Association of Canada publicly condemned the U.S. government's imposition of a 50% tariff on Canadian aluminum, describing it as a protectionist misfire that could destabilize North America's integrated manufacturing base and harm workers on both sides of the border.

The Aluminium Association of Canada issued a statement opposing the 25% US tariffs, arguing that these tariffs will disrupt the integrated North American aluminium ecosystem, harm 9,500 Canadian aluminium workers and over 500,000 American manufacturing jobs, and undermine economic security. The association also highlighted concerns over unfair Chinese trading practices and stressed the need for industry and government cooperation to protect workers and maintain the domestic value chain.

A 2021 report by Inclusive Development International, in partnership with Human Rights Watch, highlights ongoing human rights and environmental concerns linked to aluminum production, particularly through weak certification mechanisms such as the ASI process applied to Guinea’s CBG. The report details how key industry associations, including groups akin to the Aluminium Association of Canada, have been urged by automotive coalitions to ensure more robust due diligence in supply chains. This call for improvement places pressure on the association to address its role in overseeing ethical practices in the aluminum industry.

A Human Rights Watch report, highlighted in a CleanTechnica article, details severe human rights abuses in the aluminum supply chain including environmental damage and community harm. This exposes ethical risks and potential complicity within industry bodies such as the Aluminium Association of Canada which represents aluminum producers.