How does the global critical minerals policy shift affect sodium tungstate supply chains?

How does the global critical minerals policy shift affect sodium tungstate supply chains?
The US has formally added tungsten to its critical minerals list, expanding from 50 to 60 minerals. This follows a broader trend where governments treat key metals as strategic assets rather than pure commodities. The US Export-Import Bank's Project Vault, with up to $10 billion in financing, aims to build strategic reserves of critical minerals, potentially including tungsten. Meanwhile, China controls over 80% of global tungsten processing capacity, including sodium tungstate as a key intermediate. This geopolitical asymmetry means supply chain security is now a pricing factor. Any trade restrictions or stockpiling announcements could trigger price spikes. For sodium tungstate, the risk is not just raw material cost but also policy-driven demand surges from strategic buyers. Companies should diversify suppliers and consider inventory buffers.