American and Canadian aluminum producers want the two governments to drop their tariffs on each other and focus on Chinese competition instead — a warning sign for a trade fight that is hurting both sides.

• Washington still charges a 50% tariff on Canadian aluminum, and Ottawa hit back with a 50% tariff of its own.
• Trade talks that would have lowered those tariffs collapsed at the last minute.
• The US imports most of the raw aluminum it uses, and Canada is its biggest supplier — even new smelters would not close that gap.
• The tariffs help US smelters but hurt companies that use aluminum, like foil makers, who pass the cost to customers.
• Industry groups want a "North American fortress" instead: free trade inside the region, with barriers against Chinese metal sneaking in through third countries like Indonesia.

Outlook: Companies are holding back on new investment until the rules settle, so Washington will likely have to give ground in any deal with Canada and Mexico.