# US tungsten supply chain diversification > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-tungsten-supply-chain-diversification > Updated: 2026-11-04T05:59:25.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The United States is working to diversify its tungsten supply chain in anticipation of new defense procurement restrictions on certain China-sourced products, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Currently, the US imports more than 50% of its tungsten, a metal vital to aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Market data shows a significant price gap between Western and Chinese markets, with ammonium paratungstate in Rotterdam trading at a substantial premium compared to Chinese prices. This disparity is attributed more to defense buying rules than to tariffs. To address these pressures, companies such as American Tungsten and Antimony are developing domestic processing capabilities in Nevada to create a US processing hub. Additionally, the US-based Elmet Group has secured a strategic supply by acquiring a stake in Vietnam’s Masan High-Tech Materials. This deal includes a commitment to supply approximately 1,000 tons of pure tungsten annually for at least eight years. Such moves have raised concerns in Europe regarding competition for Vietnamese tungsten as the US seeks to secure strategic raw materials for its defense industry. ## Timeline ### 2026-11-04: US company secures strategic tungsten supply from Vietnam The US Elmet Group has secured a long-term tungsten supply deal with Vietnam's Masan High-Tech Materials, sparking concerns over European access to the critical defense metal. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-company-secures-strategic-tungsten-supply-from-vietnam ### 2026-11-03: Tungsten supply chain shifts as US defense rules approach The US is diversifying its tungsten supply chain ahead of 2027 defense procurement rules, as Western prices for the critical mineral trade at a significant premium compared to Chinese markets. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tungsten-supply-chain-shifts-as-us-defense-rules-approach --- Cite as: US tungsten supply chain diversification. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-tungsten-supply-chain-diversification