(Washington DC, Brussels Belgium, Montreal Canada, Tokyo Japan — June 1, 2026)

The aluminium associations of the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan welcome the release by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) of The OECD MAGIC database of industrial subsidies 2026.

The OECD release makes publicly available an extensive database of subsidy estimates across 15 industrial sectors over the 20-year period 2005-2024. These data show that industrial subsidies globally have been increasing in recent years, and in 2024 reached their highest level since the peak during the 2008-09 global economic crisis. While subsidies are pervasive across countries and sectors, firms based in China are much larger recipients than firms located elsewhere, while the most heavily subsidized sectors are solar panels, semiconductors, and aluminium.

These new data reinforce earlier OECD analysis which outlined how China’s state enterprises are not just recipients of support, but are also major providers, particularly in the form of below-market finance by state banks. State enterprises are also more likely to benefit from preferential competition rules, public procurement practices, and forced technology transfers. Understanding this entire ecosystem - in which state support flows in many forms and in multiple directions across entire supply chains, and fundamentally reshapes markets - is essential for governments looking to ensure fair competition globally. Individual country trade defense measures, while welcome, are inadequate to address the scale, scope, and duration of China’s ecosystem of industrial support.

In welcoming the OECD release, Charles Johnson, President & CEO of The Aluminum Association; Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium; Jean Simard, President & CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada; and Yasushi Noto, Executive Director of the Japan Aluminium Association highlighted the new data on subsidies to the aluminium sector.

“The truly groundbreaking work of the OECD over the past eight years has been as unique as it has been invaluable in providing much needed transparency around subsidies to the aluminium industry globally. This latest release shows clearly that for the past two decades China has been in a subsidy league of its own, providing very high levels of support to Chinese firms”:

• Over the period 2005-24, subsidies to the aluminium sector totaled USD 118.3 billion, of which China USD 101.4 billion (86% of total), OECD countries USD 5.4 billion, and RoW USD 11.5 billion;

• Subsidies in 2024 to the aluminium sector totaled USD 11.1 billion, of which China USD 10.2 billion (92% of total), OECD countries USD 399 million, and RoW USD 504 million;

• 2024 subsidies as a share of aluminium firm revenue were 4.4% in China, 0.5% in OECD countries, and 0.5% in RoW.

“As a result of these massive subsidies, in just 20 years China’s share of global primary aluminium output grew from 11% to 61%. This growth is continuing today, and is spilling over into production and export of semi-finished and high-value manufactured products containing aluminium, and even into aluminium recycling.”

“China’s subsidy-based dominance of global aluminium markets gives it excessive control over affordable and reliable access to this critical material, threatening national security across G7-plus countries. Collective action to offset China’s ecosystem of aluminium support, such as common tariffs on aluminium imports and restrictions on aluminium scrap exports, along with removal of unnecessary trade restrictions between G7-plus countries, is needed now. The aluminium industry associations representing the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan are already working collaboratively to develop the interoperable aluminium import monitoring systems to underpin this collective action.”

“On behalf of our member companies and the 1.75 million workers they directly and indirectly support, we are committed to working with governments and with international organizations to build secure regional aluminium supply chains.”

For further reference: Aluminium industry priorities for international action in 2026

About The Aluminum Association

The Aluminum Association represents the full value chain of aluminum production and jobs in the United States, including companies that make 70% of the aluminum and aluminum products shipped in North America. The association is the industry’s leading voice, developing global standards, business intelligence, sustainability research and industry expertise for member companies, policymakers and the general public. Aluminum helps manufacturers make good products great and great products even better – from fuel-efficient vehicles and sustainable packaging to the infrastructure of tomorrow and more. The industry supports $228 billion in economic activity and nearly 700,000 jobs in the United States. Aluminum companies have invested more than $10 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the past decade to capture next generation growth. For more information, visit https://www.aluminum.org.

About European Aluminium

European Aluminium, founded in 1981 and based in Brussels, is the voice of the aluminium industry in Europe. We actively engage with decision makers and the wider stakeholder community to promote the outstanding properties of aluminium, secure growth and optimise the contribution our metal can make to meeting Europe’s sustainability challenges. Our 100+ members include primary aluminium producers; downstream manufacturers of extruded, rolled and cast aluminium; producers of recycled aluminium and national aluminium associations, representing more than 600 plants in 30 European countries. Aluminium products are used in a wide range of markets, including automotive, transport, high-tech engineering, building, construction and packaging. https://european aluminium.eu/  

About Aluminium Association of Canada

Founded in 1990, the Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC) represents the three Canadian world-class aluminium producers: Alcoa, Alouette, and Rio Tinto. Operating nine smelters in Canada, eight of which in Quebec, they employ over 9,800 workers, including more than 7,700 in Quebec, producing more 82% of North America’s primary metal, with $11.3 billion in exports. The AAC and its members are active in the protection and development of aluminium as a strategic and critical material for resilient and reliable supply chains. For more information, visit aluminium.ca or X @AAC_aluminium.

About Japan Aluminium Association

The Japan Aluminium Association (JAA) was established in 1947 (the former names were the Light Metal Rolling Association and Light Metal Smelting Association of Japan). The Association brings together approximately 140 member companies operating across the value chain, including rolled and extruded products, fabrication, remelting, and trading. As the principal representative body of Japan’s aluminium industry, JAA plays an important role in public affairs, government relations, research and development, energy and environmental initiatives, as well as health and safety. Through these activities, JAA works to enhance the value and sustainability of Japan’s aluminium industry. For more information visit http://www.aluminum.or.jp/english/.

Contacts

The Aluminum Association

Katie Rosebrook, Director of External Affairs, krosebrook@aluminum.org

T: +703-358-2968

European Aluminium

Kelly Roegies, Senior Manager EU Policy Communications, roegies@european-aluminium.eu

M: +32 471 80 20 98

Aluminium Association of Canada

Jean Simard, President and CEO, jsimard@aluminium.ca

M: +514-825-6593

Japan Aluminium Association

Yasushi Noto, Executive Director, y-noto@alkyo.jp

T: +81-3-3538-0221