The United States is facing a significant challenge in securing a reliable supply of tungsten, a critical mineral used in various defense and industrial applications. Tungsten has a high melting point and is exceptionally dense, hard, and resistant to wear, making it valuable in cutting and drilling tools, aerospace components, electronics, energy technologies, and military applications.
US Dependence on China
The US relies heavily on China for its tungsten supply, with China accounting for roughly four-fifths of global tungsten production. However, China’s imposition of export controls on tungsten-related products in February 2025 has led to a decline in Chinese tungsten exports, resulting in a significant increase in prices. The benchmark price for Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) has risen by approximately 810% since January 2025.
The US has formally recognized the risk of relying on imported processed critical minerals and has directed negotiations to address the national security implications of this dependence. The US and Australia have established a formal policy framework to accelerate investment in critical mineral mines, processing facilities, and secure supply chains.
US-Australia Partnership
The US-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths aims to support the development of critical minerals required by the countries’ defense industries, advanced-technology manufacturers, and wider industrial bases. The framework calls for coordinated investment, government financing support, faster permitting, offtake arrangements, and measures to address unfair trade practices and distorted commodity pricing.
The partnership has identified a pipeline of approximately $8.5 billion in prospective critical minerals projects in Australia and the US, with both countries committing to provide at least $1 billion each in financing for these projects. The framework also establishes a US-Australia Critical Minerals Supply Security Response Group to identify priority minerals and supply vulnerabilities and develop coordinated plans to accelerate the delivery of processed materials.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
