On April 2, 2025, the U.S. government announced the imposition of "reciprocal tariffs" on goods exported from China to the United States. China’s official stance is that this move violates international trade rules, severely undermines China’s legitimate rights and interests, and constitutes a typical act of unilateral bullying. It not only harms U.S. interests but also threatens global economic development and the stability of industrial and supply chains.
In response, pursuant to the Tariff Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China, and fundamental principles of international law, and with the approval of the State Council, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council issued an announcement. Effective from 12:01 on April 10, 2025, a 34% tariff will be imposed on all goods imported from the United States. Goods shipped from their point of origin before 12:01 on April 10, 2025, and imported between that time and 24:00 on May 13, 2025, will be exempt from this additional tariff.
Potential Impact on the Tungsten Industry
The 34% tariff on all U.S.-origin imports is unlikely to significantly affect China’s tungsten industry, as the volume of tungsten products imported from the U.S. is relatively small. According to data compiled by China Tungsten Online, the U.S. is not a major supplier of tungsten products to China. These imports include tungsten trioxide (WO?), tungsten hexafluoride (WF?), ammonium paratungstate (APT), sodium tungstate, calcium tungstate, ammonium metatungstate, other tungstates, tungsten carbide, and tungsten powder, among others.
2025 Import Data (January–February)
Volume: China imported 31.90 tons of tungsten products from the U.S., a 37.62% year-on-year increase, accounting for 1.17% of China’s total tungsten imports (2,726.08 tons).
Value: Imports amounted to 18.9473 million CNY, up 49.68% year-on-year, representing 5.54% of China’s total tungsten import value (343 million CNY).
Breakdown:
Tungsten trioxide: 82 kg, up 100.00%.
Tungsten hexafluoride: 8,984 kg, up 969.52%.
Sodium tungstate: 12,619 kg, up 100.02%.
Tungsten carbide: 5,063 kg, down 64.29%.
Tungsten powder: 2,265 kg, up 60.18%.
Unwrought tungsten (bars/rods): 893 kg, up 100.00%.
Tungsten wire: 31 kg, up 14.81%.
Tungsten profiles/plates/sheets: 119 kg, down 6.30%.
Other tungsten products: 1,844 kg, up 556.23%.
2024 Full-Year Import Data
Volume: China imported 179.49 tons of tungsten products from the U.S., a 168.87% increase from 2023, comprising 1.07% of total imports (16,700 tons).
Value: Imports totaled 89.0152 million CNY, up 52.65%, accounting for 3.99% of the total import value (2.233 billion CNY).
Breakdown:
Tungsten trioxide: 37,895 kg, up 11,632.20%.
Tungsten hexafluoride: 20,100 kg, up 73.91%.
Sodium tungstate: 48,899 kg, up 76.51%.
Other tungstates: 6 kg, up 200.00%.
Tungsten carbide: 54,060 kg, up 417.92%.
Tungsten powder: 6,717 kg, up 17.82%.
Tungsten wire: 138 kg, down 53.38%.
Tungsten profiles/plates/sheets: 2,350 kg, up 94.22%.
Other tungsten products: 9,320 kg, down 2.05%.
China’s Dominance in Global Tungsten Supply
China’s minimal reliance on U.S. tungsten imports contrasts sharply with its dominant position in the global tungsten market, particularly as a key supplier to the U.S. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as of the end of 2024:
Reserves: China holds 2.4 million tons of tungsten reserves, accounting for 52.17% of the global total, up approximately 4% from 2023.
Production: China produced 67,000 tons of tungsten in 2024, a 1.52% increase from the previous year, representing 81.48% of global output.
