The administration of the US president is considering the possibility of introducing a complete ban on Russian aluminum in response to Russia's military escalation in Ukraine.
Bloomberg writes about it.
The White House is considering three options: an outright ban, raising tariffs to such a level that they become an effective ban, or sanctions against Russia's largest producer, Rusal.
The ban is being considered in response to Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities this week.
A White House official said all options were being considered, but there was no immediate progress on the issue.
At the beginning of the war, the administration refrained from imposing sanctions on Russian aluminum, fearing that it could disrupt global suppliers.
Such a move would have far-reaching implications for the global aluminum market, potentially forcing consumers in the US and elsewhere to scramble to find a replacement metal.
Aluminum has long been protected from sanctions because of its importance in everything from cars and skyscrapers to iPhones.
Russia is the world's second largest producer of aluminum after China, which is crucial for most heavy industries.
The share of Russian supplies to the USA alone traditionally accounts for about 10% of the total volume of aluminum imports, and in August, according to data, Russia was the third largest exporter to the USA.