Alcoa’s Strategic Pivot Under Fire: Will Its Bold Moves Be Enough to Weather the Tariff Storm?

Alcoa Corporation reported a strong first quarter for 2025, highlighted by improved safety performance and stable production across most operations. The company maintained a commitment to operational excellence, focusing on safety, stability, and continuous improvement amid positive market conditions. A key development was the improvement at the Alumar smelter in Brazil, which is now operating at 91% capacity. Alcoa also made significant strides in financial repositioning, issuing $1 billion in debt in Australia, which helped refinance existing liabilities and reduce interest expenses. Additionally, the company formed a joint venture with IGNIS EQT to resume production at the San Ciprián smelter in Spain.