An aluminum manufacturer in Kingston, Ont., has laid off 80 workers after U.S. tariffs made shipping Canadian metal south of the border more expensive.

Novelis confirmed the job cuts Friday, saying it was reducing production and staffing at its Kingston facility because of the cost of American Section 232 duties on Canadian aluminum.

The layoffs affect roughly one-third of the plant’s workforce. Ten salaried employees were terminated, while approximately 70 hourly workers were temporarily laid off.

“Continuing to operate the plant at reduced volumes provides Novelis with the option to increase production if the situation meaningfully changes,” the company said.

Temporarily laid-off employees could be recalled if production increases. Novelis said it would work with the union on any recalls and is providing severance and employment-transition assistance to affected workers.

The latest cuts come just over a year after Novelis laid off 21 Kingston employees because of U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.

U.S. President Donald Trump initially raised duties on imported steel and aluminum to 25 per cent before doubling the rate to 50 per cent in June 2025. Although Washington revised parts of its tariff policy in 2026, the 50 per cent levy on Canadian metal remained.

Canada is the largest foreign supplier of aluminum to the United States, leaving Canadian smelters and manufacturers particularly exposed to changes in American trade policy.

Industry leaders have repeatedly warned that the tariffs would reduce Canadian production, disrupt integrated North American supply chains and trigger further job losses.

The Kingston layoffs add to the mounting economic damage from the trade dispute, which has already affected steel, aluminum and automotive operations across Ontario.

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