Posted on 09/08/2025 10:52:19 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Trump administration exempted graphite, tungsten, uranium, and gold bullion from US country-based reciprocal tariffs, while adding levies on silicone products—and extending those tariffs to resin and aluminum hydroxide.
The move, set to take effect today under an executive order, formalizes the planned bullion carve-out after a recent US Customs and Border Protection ruling sowed confusion by implying certain gold bars could face import taxes.
Procedurally, the measure empowers the US Trade Representative and the Commerce Department to implement “framework agreements” with partner countries—such as existing arrangements with the EU, Japan and South Korea—without requiring additional presidential executive orders. The order cites national security findings as the legal basis for modifying tariff coverage.
These carve-outs hit core inputs across energy, defense, and electronics: graphite dominates anodes in lithium-ion EV batteries and is used in refractories and thermal management, while tungsten (often as cemented carbides) is indispensable for cutting tools, drilling bits, aerospace components.
Beyond the named minerals, the directive is designed to speed bespoke deals that could allow tariff relief on aircraft parts, generic pharmaceuticals, and other goods that cannot be grown or produced domestically, while silicone-based products move into the tariff net.
So, Gold got a golden pass (Whew, I own shares of the metal ). So did graphite, tungsten, and uranium, under Trump’s latest executive order tweaking his import tariffs. Effective today, those metals are exempt, while aluminum hydroxide, resin, and silicone get slapped with new duties.
U.S. trade partners welcomed the shift, with EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic saying it “paves the way” for auto tariffs to drop to 15% while securing key carve-outs.
Good. My gold-plated tungsten bars are still worth something.
Could he perhaps include coffee?
The price of boobs is going up.
If he doesn’t kill all tariffs, we will get smoked in 26,28. No amount of coping will change that
In the old days this would have made sense. We need Gold to buy Uranium. Tungsten so that we can see it. And Graphite so that we can write it all down.
Lol we need tungsten to make passable fake gold bars to replace the real ones being sold out of Fort Knox on the down low.
China produces something like 90% of the finished graphite in the world, so reciprocal duties on other countries are irrelevant. The removal of reciprocal duties simply are to allow cheaper raw-material supplies for US battery/annode industry (when and if it ever gets it sh** together)
Chinese product is dealt with by anti-dumping duties, which remain in place, which are something like 93% ad valorem
Yup.
RE: If he doesn’t kill all tariffs, we will get smoked in 26,28
Can you elaborate as to WHY?
Every nation on earth has tariffs. Why on earth would we prefer to steal more money from our citizens rather than simply utilize a tool that everyone else uses?
“ If he doesn’t kill all tariffs, we will get smoked in 26,28. No amount of coping will change that”
***************************************************
Well, NOOB, did you sign up here to engage in anti-MAGA jihad? Are you by any chance an IMPORTER?
Citizen wages are up 3.4%. Inflation is down at 2.7%.
Tariffs aren't causing inflation. Tariffs are causing wage growth.
You should "speak" less and read more.
Nope.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.