Key facts
- The U.S. Department of Commerce imposed a one-year restriction on exports.
- The restriction applies to tungsten waste and scrap.
- The restriction also applies to black mass from recycled lithium-ion batteries.
- The measure aims to secure domestic supply of critical minerals.
- Critical minerals are essential for national defense.
- The action is a response to global trade fragmentation.
- The action is also a response to Chinese export controls.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has enacted a one-year restriction on the export of specific critical materials, including tungsten waste and scrap, and black mass generated from the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. This directive aims to enhance the United States' domestic supply chain for minerals deemed essential for national defense. The decision is situated within a broader context of global trade fragmentation and follows existing export control policies implemented by China on comparable materials. The restriction is designed to ensure that these valuable resources remain available for domestic use, thereby strengthening U.S. industrial and military capabilities in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.