US Restricts Tungsten Scrap Exports to Secure Strategic Supply Chains

Key Facts

1The Trump administration's halt on tungsten scrap exports has taken effect to address a deepening supply crisis.

2Almonty Industries' Sangdong Mine in South Korea is expected to account for 40% of Western tungsten production at full capacity.

Amid escalating trade tensions and a global race to secure critical minerals, the Trump administration's decision to halt tungsten scrap exports has officially taken effect. This move is designed to address a deepening supply crisis and ensure that 100% of domestic scrap remains within the U.S. to support defense and semiconductor industries. These strict licensing requirements represent a strategic shift toward securing supply chains essential for AI infrastructure and decoupling from external dependencies.

According to analyst reports, Almonty Industries' Sangdong Mine in South Korea is positioned as a vital alternative, expected to account for 40% of Western tungsten production at full capacity. This development coincides with market data showing South Korean Business Confidence at 81 levels as of August 25, 2026, highlighting the economic backdrop of a region now central to the West's mineral security strategy.

Looking ahead, traders are monitoring industrial demand stability while qualitative supply constraints remain a primary driver. With authoritative price data currently unavailable, the focus shifts to the operational ramp-up of non-Chinese mining projects. There are no high-impact economic calendar events scheduled for the immediate week regarding tungsten, leaving policy updates on U.S. export licenses as the primary catalyst for market direction.