In mid-April 2026, the global foreign trade landscape of aluminum profile doors and windows has undergone new changes. Escalating geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have led to large-scale shutdowns of major global electrolytic aluminum production capacity, pushing international aluminum prices to a nearly 20-year high. Meanwhile, the EU’s anti-dumping sunset review on Chinese aluminum profiles is still ongoing, keeping trade barriers for the European market intact. Supported by its complete industrial chain and stable production capacity, Chinese aluminum window and door manufacturers are absorbing global overflow orders. Demand in emerging markets across Southeast Asia and the Middle East keeps growing rapidly, while low-carbon compliance upgrading and overseas localization have become core strategies for global expansion.
Since April 13, tightened shipping control over the Strait of Hormuz has caused full production halts at two world-leading aluminum smelters: Emirates Global Aluminium and Aluminum Bahrain. Their combined annual capacity of over 3 million tons has been suspended, with recovery expected to take 12 months, creating a rigid supply gap of nearly 9% in global primary aluminum. Tight supply has driven aluminum prices sharply higher. As of April 17, LME aluminum reached $3,608 per ton, hitting a 20-year peak. Domestic SHFE aluminum fluctuated steadily between 24,800 and 25,500 yuan per ton. Spot premiums for global aluminum profiles rose continuously, greatly increasing production costs and limiting supply capacity of local window manufacturers overseas.
In terms of trade barriers, the EU’s anti-dumping sunset review remains in progress. The original anti-dumping duties of 21.2%–32.1% on Chinese aluminum profiles remain enforced, and the temporary zero-tariff window has not reopened. Furthermore, the EU’s CBAM carbon tariff mechanism is being further tightened. Overseas buyers are imposing stricter requirements on carbon footprint, recycled aluminum ratio, CE/EN 14351 certification, and green energy production standards. This pushes domestic enterprises to accelerate low-carbon production line upgrades, recycled aluminum application, and carbon accounting systems to meet the procurement standards of high-end European building materials.
Global order flow has shifted significantly toward China to fill overseas supply shortages. China’s aluminum profile exports rose 18% year-on-year in the first quarter, with inquiries continuing to grow in April. Benefiting from tariff advantages and recovering infrastructure and real estate sectors, ASEAN markets under RCEP show strong demand for typhoon-resistant thermal-break windows and energy-saving system windows. Vietnam and Malaysia remain key hubs for transit trade and overseas assembly. Due to local aluminum shortages, import demand for weather-resistant, sand-proof aluminum windows in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and other Middle Eastern and African countries surged by over 40% month-on-month, raising regional reliance on Chinese products. Under persistent high U.S. tariffs, more enterprises are building factories in Mexico to bypass trade barriers and serve end markets locally.
Faced with high aluminum prices, global supply imbalances and diversified trade barriers, Chinese manufacturers have formed unified global expansion strategies. They optimize product structure by promoting high-value-added system windows and low-carbon energy-saving profiles to reduce the impact of raw material price volatility. They diversify global market layout to lower reliance on European and American markets, and speed up overseas warehouses and local production bases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In addition, continuous improvements in international certification and low-carbon compliance strengthen China’s stable global supply chain advantages.
Industry analysts predict that global aluminum prices will remain high in the second quarter. Geopolitical tensions, production shortages and trade regulations will keep shaping global export trends. Although exports to Europe and the U.S. remain under policy pressure, sustained demand from emerging markets including the Middle East, ASEAN and Latin America will become the main driver of export growth. As Chinese aluminum window enterprises keep upgrading products, complying with international standards and optimizing global supply chains, their overall global competitiveness will improve further. Their share in the global building materials market will expand steadily, achieving a long-term transformation from simple capacity export to brand and standard export.