Lead
Oklahoma’s attorney general filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to prevent Emirates Global Aluminum and Century Aluminum from building what would become the largest aluminum smelter in the United States.
The filing and its focus
The case, brought in state court by Republican Gentner Drummond, raises concerns about the project’s links to the United Arab Emirates and flags potential harm to Oklahoma’s cattle industry. Drummond is also a candidate in the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
Project details
The proposed facility is a $4 billion smelter planned to produce 750,000 metric tons of aluminum per year. If completed, it would represent the first new U.S. aluminum smelter constructed since 1980. Emirates Global Aluminum would hold a 60% stake in the venture, while Chicago-based Century Aluminum would own the remaining 40%. Requests for comment to both companies were not answered.
Political context
The project has drawn attention from national political figures. President Donald Trump has expressed support for the smelter, and that support is notable given that the president has backed Drummond’s opponent in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Trade and state policy considerations
The United States currently imports more than half of its annual aluminum requirements, a trade imbalance that has prompted the Trump administration to levy a series of tariffs on aluminum imports. At the state level, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has pursued policies to position the state as a hub for critical minerals development, an effort that the article notes has received the president’s support.
Broader debate
The lawsuit adds to national discussions about siting critical minerals and heavy industrial projects in rural areas where agriculture is a central economic and cultural presence. The filing signals a legal and political challenge that could shape the trajectory of the proposed smelter.
Note: The article reports on the lawsuit and project details as presented in the filing and related public statements. It does not include comment beyond those elements.