[REVISION HISTORY]

Global tungsten supply and export restrictions

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-01 18:32 UTC → 2026-09-05 13:17 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The global tungsten market is experiencing a significant supply crisis driven by export restrictions from China and the United States. In Europe, prices have increased ninefold over an 18-month period, rising from approximately 12–20 euros per kilogram to roughly 100 euros. China, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of global ~~production,~~ production and 85 percent of APT refining, implemented a licensing requirement in February 2025 that limits exports to fifteen designated companies through 2027. These controls are increasingly viewed as a geopolitical lever impacting Western aerospace, satellite, and defense industries. In ~~response to~~ response, the ~~deepening~~ United States has announced that, effective January 1, 2027, it will no longer accept tungsten in defense products if it has passed through supply chains involving China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. To mitigate scarcity of this ~~metal—which is critical~~ metal—critical for defense, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and energy infrastructure—the United States has moved to halt tungsten scrap exports, requiring licenses for such shipments for at least one year. ~~To mitigate supply risks,~~ Many U.S. corporations have reported delays of over six months for export licenses. Western companies are increasing inventories and seeking non-Chinese ~~sources.~~ sources through reshoring initiatives and new mining projects in regions such as the U.S. and Norway. Almonty Industries is ramping up production at its Sangdong Mine in South Korea, a project projected to eventually provide approximately 40 percent of Western tungsten production.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.