From August 27, 2026, the US will enforce a one-year export restriction on tungsten waste and scrap and black mass, defined as shredded lithium-ion battery scrap containing cathode material, anode material, or other residual battery cell materials, requiring suppliers to sell domestically unless granted an adjustment or exemption from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

The US Department of Commerce (USDOC) said that insufficient critical mineral supplies threaten national defense and security, noting heavy reliance on foreign sources.

Tungsten prices have surged by over 600% since January 2025 due to export limits and concentrated supply chains dominated by China, which accounts for over 80% of global output.

US President Donald Trump recently granted expanded authority to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to curb critical mineral exports. Meanwhile, a recent Government Accountability Office report noted that expanding recycling and substitution technologies could reduce foreign dependence over time, though scaling these measures presents ongoing industrial challenges.