5 September 2025 – After a brief dip, US Midwest Aluminum Premiums have surged again. Aluminum prices on the LME and SHFE remain stable at high levels. German criticism of Brussels’ quota plans is growing louder.
US Aluminum Premiums Jump Back Up
After the US Midwest Aluminum Premiums suffered a brief drop at the end of August-falling from $0.71/lb to $0.60/lb – they rebounded just two days later back to $0.71/lb. This keeps the premium on immediately available aluminum in the United States close to its mid-August record peak.
LME and SHFE Aluminum Prices Remain Stable at High Levels
Aluminum prices on the European commodity exchange LME remain above $2,600/MT despite slightly higher stock levels. On the Asian SHFE, aluminum contracts also remain stable at high levels, currently around $2,880/MT.
Germany: Criticism of European Commission Quota Plans
In Germany’s two economically strongest states, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, criticism is mounting against the European Commission’s plans to impose mandatory electric quotas for company cars. Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Economic Affairs Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut (CDU) and Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) have written to the Commission opposing mandatory electrification of company and rental cars from 2030.
Key arguments from the two economic ministers against quotas for electric vehicles:
- Restriction of investment flexibility and innovative capacity
- More bureaucracy and double regulation instead of technological openness
- Endangerment of jobs and competitiveness
Is Central Planning the New Trend in Brussels?
Applied to the increasingly frequent demand from the European steel lobby for mandatory quotas of so-called green steel-for example in automobiles or public projects, it would be desirable to hear the same critical voices from politics. The European organic food sector has long proven that it is possible to succeed without mandatory quotas for “green” ingredients in food products.
Thorsten Gerber, CEO of the Gerber Group, commented today: “I welcome the initiative of the two ministers, and I am pleased to see that, once left-green narrow-mindedness is set aside, pragmatic realism can still be found in Germany.” He continued: “The fact that central planning with mandatory quotas does not work was proven conclusively by the economic collapse of the Soviet Union.”
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