On February 4, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce of China announced the decision to impose export controls on tungsten and related items, including tungsten alloys, tungsten-copper alloys, tungsten-silver alloys, tungsten-nickel-iron alloys, tungsten-nickel-copper alloys, etc., with certain characteristics or dimensions.
In addition, according to the “List of Dual-Use Items Export Control of the People’s Republic of China”, tungsten-rhenium alloys (with the combined content of rhenium and tungsten being greater than or equal to 90%) and other products are also on the export control list.
So, why does China impose export controls on these tungsten alloys?
I. Introduction to Tungsten Alloys
Tungsten alloys are a type of alloy material with tungsten as the base and a small amount of elements such as nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), and chromium (Cr) added. These alloys possess high density (16.5 – 19.0 g/cm³), high strength, high hardness, excellent oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance. These properties have enabled tungsten alloys to be widely used in fields such as national defense and military, aerospace, nuclear industry, electronic devices, automotive manufacturing, and medical equipment. For instance, they are used in the production of high-performance engine components, armor-piercing projectile cores, nuclear reactor shielding materials, and various precision mechanical parts and balance weights. Tungsten alloys are an indispensable and important strategic resource in modern industry.
II. Strategic Significance of Implementing Export Controls on Tungsten Alloys
Maintaining National Security and Interests: Tungsten alloys are core materials for national defense, military industry, and high-end manufacturing. As the world’s largest tungsten producer (accounting for 82% of global output), China’s implementation of export controls on tungsten alloys can prevent these critical materials from being exploited by potential adversaries for high-precision weapons or satellite technologies, thereby safeguarding national defense security. Additionally, it can prevent the leakage of key industrial and military technologies and ensure the sustainable utilization of strategic resources.
Fulfilling International Obligations: As a member of the international community, China actively fulfills its international obligations such as non-proliferation. Implementing export controls on key strategic resources like tungsten alloys helps further regulate the global circulation of related items and promote the improvement of the international non-proliferation system.
Responding to Changes in the International Situation: In recent years, the international environment has become increasingly complex, with significant increases in instability and uncertainty. Critical strategic mineral resources have become the focus of major power competition. Through export controls, ensuring the security and rational utilization of domestic resources helps maintain national economic security and sustainable development.
Enhancing Global Industrial Chain Influence: China holds an absolute dominant position in the global tungsten supply chain, but lacks pricing influence. By implementing export controls, resources can be managed more effectively, reducing excessive outflow and reserving sufficient resource reserves for the sustainable development of domestic industries. This ensures the long-term stable supply of key resources. At the same time, export controls can encourage domestic enterprises to increase investment in technological research and development, promoting the development of domestic industries towards deep processing and high value-added fields, reducing reliance on external sources, enhancing national strategic autonomy, and thereby enhancing China’s influence in the global industrial chain.
