Tungsten is rarely the first material that comes to mind when discussing US national security. Yet the metal is used throughout the American industrial and defense base, from cutting tools and electronics to ammunition and other military systems. As Washington moves to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals, tungsten is becoming an increasingly important part of the supply-chain debate.
China currently plays a dominant role in the global tungsten supply chain, leaving the US facing a challenge that goes beyond finding new deposits. The country also needs the processing capacity, recycling infrastructure and traceability systems required to turn tungsten into a reliable domestic resource.