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| Amermin Tungsten Scrap |
US tungsten scrap export controls and policy escalation
US tungsten scrap export controls policy intensify as industry groups petition Commerce Department. A coalition led by Amermin urges Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to impose restrictions. They target tungsten scrap and mill-ready material under export licensing rules. US tungsten scrap export controls reflect rising national security concerns.
Supply chain vulnerability and China dominance
US tungsten scrap export controls debate accelerates due to concentrated global supply risks. China supplies more than 80 percent of global tungsten output, creating strategic dependency. The United States has not mined tungsten commercially since 2015. Industry warns scrap exports weaken domestic secondary material markets. Prices reportedly rose after China's export restrictions in 2025.
Defense demand and industrial policy implications
US tungsten scrap export controls could reshape defense and industrial supply chains. Tungsten supports aerospace, munitions, drilling tools, and energy infrastructure. Policymakers consider EAR and ECRA frameworks for export licensing expansion. However, tighter controls may disrupt global recycling flows and trade relationships. The industry calls for interagency coordination and national tungsten strategy.
ScrapInsight Commentary
This discussion of tungsten scrap export controls clearly shows the trend of strengthening U.S. strategic mineral policy.
However, tightening export controls could hamper global scrap liquidity and expand price volatility.
At the same time, it is highly likely to promote the expansion of recycling and internalization investment in the long term amid a China-centered supply structure.
