China’s Tungsten Export Restrictions: What’s Happening to . . . China's latest tungsten export restrictions are driving up prices and reshaping global supply chains Discover how industries are responding and what this means for the future of critical minerals
Tungsten supply crisis threatens defense and tech industries The problem: China dominates global tungsten supply — accounting for more than 80% of the world’s mining and processing in 2023, as well as 58% of the world’s reserves at 2 3 million metric tons However, China’s dominance is increasingly seen as a strategic vulnerability by the US, EU and Japan amid escalating geopolitical tensions
China chokes tungsten exports to the United States China has banned imports of tungsten scrap for a number of years, citing environmental concerns over how it’s processed If it were to lift the embargo, it could suck in more supply and limit what’s left for other countries
China Announces Export Controls on Five Critical Minerals China dominates the global tungsten market, controlling about 80% of the world’s supply In December 2024, the United States imposed 25% tariff on certain tungsten imports from China, encouraging U S importers to find alternative suppliers
Chinas Tungsten Export Restrictions Disrupt Global Supply On February 4, 2025, China sent shockwaves through global industrial supply chains by adding tungsten to its export restriction list This wasn’t an isolated action but part of a broader strategic measure that included four other critical industrial metals
Will China Limit Exports of Critical Metal Tungsten: What . . . China controls over 80% of global tungsten supply, prompting strategic efforts by Western countries to reduce dependency New non-Chinese tungsten mining projects in South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Australia aim to challenge China’s market dominance