OREANDA-NEWS At the end of August, a ban on the export of tungsten and waste from recycled batteries will begin in the United States. This was reported by Bloomberg.

Suppliers of these products will be required to sell them domestically, although they can apply for an exemption from this requirement. The restriction will be in effect for a year. In this regard, the agency recalled that last week, US President Donald Trump signed a law allowing the authorities to restrict the export of industrial waste containing critically important minerals and materials. This is how Washington hopes to reduce its dependence on China. As noted by the US Department of Commerce, the shortage of critical materials poses a growing threat to national defense and security.

In early March, the Group of Seven countries began negotiations on a trade agreement on critically important minerals, as they fear excessive dependence on Chinese rare earths. At that time, it was about strengthening supply chains, for example, by reducing tariffs, creating a new economic zone, as well as imposing duties on certain types of Chinese imports.