China's tungsten export restrictions tighten auto, aerospace and chip supply

China, which supplies about 80 % of the world’s tungsten, has sharply limited exports of the metal and related compounds. The curbs have pushed tungsten prices up roughly threefold since the start of 2026, raising production costs for sectors that rely on its hardness and heat resistance.

In Germany, industry leaders warn that the higher cost of tungsten could ripple through the automotive, defence, aerospace and tool‑making value chains, prompting calls for strategic reserves. At the same time, the cut in shipments of tungsten hexafluoride (WF₆) to Japan threatens a shortage of a key gas used to etch advanced semiconductors. Analysts say the shortage could halt production at South Korean chipmakers such as Samsung and SK Hynix, driving up chip prices and delaying the rollout of 3‑to‑7‑nanometre nodes that are critical for AI‑driven demand.

Both articles highlight the vulnerability of western high‑tech and manufacturing industries to China’s dominance over this strategic metal and underscore growing pressure to diversify supply sources.