America’s tungsten crunch: how Washington plans to secure critical metals

In a world increasingly defined by mineral geopolitics, Foreign Policy shines a spotlight on the Trump administration’s aggressive push to secure U.S. access to tungsten, a dense, high-melting-point metal critical to aerospace, defence, and munitions. 

The article underscores how tungsten, often overshadowed by rare earths, has emerged as a strategic vulnerability for the United States, which now relies heavily on imports from China—accounting for roughly 80 per cent of global tungsten production in 2024. Amid rising trade tensions and Chinese export controls, the administration is moving swiftly to diversify supply, reviving domestic production and forging international partnerships.

Foreign Policy contextualises tungsten’s significance through history and modern strategy. Once mined domestically, the U.S. ceased commercial production about a decade ago, leaving manufacturers dependent on imports and recycling. Today, tungsten’s strategic value mirrors past conflicts over critical minerals; in World War II, Allied powers sought to choke German access to Spanish tungsten. Now, the Trump administration sees similar risks in Beijing’s near-monopoly over the metal, especially as Chinese export restrictions have caused prices to more than double, putting pressure on U.S. defence and aerospace industries.

The article details Washington’s multipronged strategy. Domestically, the U.S. is investing in mining projects such as Guardian Metal Resources’ Pilot Mountain tungsten project in Nevada, backed by a $6.2 million Defense Department award. At the same time, the administration is expanding overseas supply chains, exemplified by a landmark $1.1 billion tungsten mining and processing project in Kazakhstan. This initiative, negotiated with U.S. involvement and facilitated by public and private capital—including interest from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the International Development Finance Corporation—aims to ensure metals are prioritised for American commercial and government needs.

Foreign Policy emphasises that these efforts reflect a broader recognition of the vulnerabilities inherent in global mineral supply chains. Central Asia, historically dominated by China and Russia, presents logistical and infrastructural challenges, highlighting the complexity of securing alternative sources. The article quotes experts noting that mining is only one piece of the puzzle; processing, permitting, and technical know-how are equally critical. Even with new investments, realistic domestic production in the U.S. is projected no earlier than 2030.

The piece also illustrates the growing political urgency around tungsten. Congressional interest has surged, exemplified by the House Select Committee on China’s inquiries into Almonty Industries’ tungsten projects in South Korea and Montana. Lawmakers frame the mineral as a national security priority, signalling that U.S. policymakers increasingly view supply chain diversification as essential to countering Chinese dominance.

Overall, Foreign Policy positions tungsten as a case study in modern resource geopolitics: a small but strategically vital commodity with outsized implications for national security. The article makes clear that the U.S. faces a race against time and geopolitics—balancing domestic production, international deals, and infrastructure development—while navigating the constraints of capital, technical capacity, and geopolitical risk. The Trump administration’s push illustrates a proactive, high-stakes attempt to reduce America’s reliance on China, even if the payoff will take years to materialise.

By Vugar Khalilov