Century Aluminum CEO discusses industry comeback amid security concerns
Jesse Gary, CEO of Century Aluminum, joins “Mornings with Maria” to discuss construction of a new massive aluminum plant in Oklahoma aimed at boosting U.S. production and reducing dependence on foreign imports.
America’s aluminum industry is showing signs of recovery after decades of decline, driven by national security concerns, supply chain vulnerabilities and increasing competition from China.
Aluminum is no longer viewed as just an industrial input; It is increasingly viewed as a strategic material linked to defense readiness, manufacturing resilience, and long-term economic security.
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Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary joined FOX Business’ Cheryl Casson on “Mornings with Maria” to discuss the growing role aluminum plays in the U.S. economy and national security.
An American worker loads aluminum coil onto a truck at a manufacturing facility. (Luc Charette/Getty Images)
He said the importance of aluminum extends beyond consumer goods, touching nearly every part of American life and national defense.
“It’s really everywhere,” Gary said.
He pointed to its role in homes, vehicles, aircraft and military systems.
“Tank armor is made of aluminum… it forms the bulkheads of our fighter planes, rocket fuel is made of aluminum… aluminum is truly the backbone of this country.”
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The fragility of global supply chains has added urgency, with Gary warning that today’s aluminum network has little room for disruption.
“Right now, we find ourselves in a situation where the supply chain is very weak,” he said. “A fire at an individual plant could have impacts on the entire supply chain, with significant production losses in the system, in consumer products, etc.”
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Political transformations also played a role in encouraging local investment. The US aluminum industry shrank from dozens of smelters to just a handful before the tariffs were implemented, Gary said.
“Before president Trump took office for his first term, the U.S. aluminum industry was in a recession,” he said, adding that production began to rise after trade protectionism was implemented.
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Beyond production itself, large industrial projects have the potential to reshape entire regions. Gary said the new capabilities have the potential to create long-term industry clusters, attract related businesses and preserve jobs for generations.
“These are the types of investments…that have resonated for decades in these communities,” he said. “We expect the smelter to operate for more than 50 years, and hopefully 100 years.”
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2026-01-27 16:57:00
