Polyethylene (PE)

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Rates for shipping containers from southeast Asia and Vietnam have risen above rates from China to the US as tariffs – and a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs – are already shifting global trade patterns. Peter Sand, chief analyst at ocean and freight rate analytics firm Xeneta, said he is now seeing the shifting global trade patterns caused by the tariffs play out in ocean freight rates. “Falling demand out of China has coincided with shippers rushing imports out of Vietnam, which is subject to a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs,” Sand said. “Seeing the relationship between these two trades turn on its head is an early indication of the potential for tariffs to shift global trade on its axis.” Sand, using Xeneta data, said importing into the US West Coast from China was more expensive than importing from Vietnam on 16 March. But by 25 April, Vietnam has become the more expensive of the two trades, as shown in the following chart. In another example, the spread in rates between China and southeast Asia trades into US West Coast has widened from $7/FEU (40-foot equivalent unit) on 31 March to $181/FEU on 25 April (with southeast Asia the more expensive). “As shippers stopped or slowed exports from China due to the tariffs, they have accelerated exports from southeast Asia countries, which has caused the spread in freight rates on these trades to widen,” Sand said. AVERAGE GLOBAL RATES TICK LOWER Average global container rates edged lower by 2% week on week, accord to supply chain advisors Drewry and as shown in the following chart. Drewry expects rates to continue to decline in the coming week due to uncertainty stemming from reciprocal tariffs. Blank sailings have surged again this week as carriers strive to maintain rates or at least stop the slide. Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence, said the impact of the trade war has led shippers to pause, or outright cancel, shipments. “This in turn reduces demand for capacity on container vessels, to which carriers respond by cancelling sailings,” Murphy said. Murphy said this level of escalation in blanked capacity illustrates a dramatic change in the market. “Partly from the perspective of the magnitude of the blank sailings, which are more akin to what we tend to see seasonally following Chinese New Year in January/February and Chinese Golden Week in October,” Murphy said. Rates from online freight shipping marketplace and platform provider Freightos also fell over the week, with rates to both US coasts down by 5%. Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, said some vessels are leaving China only half full because of canceled orders. Levine said some retailers have inventory from front-loading deliveries over the past few months and are taking a wait-and-see approach. PORT CHARGES TARGETING CHINA-LINKED SHIPS Levine said revised guidelines from the US Trade Representative (USTR) targeting China’s dominance in the maritime industry should not lead to the significant port call omissions and congestion that many feared would result from the original per port call proposal. Market intelligence group Linerlytica said that although port fees on Chinese operated and Chinese-built ships are retained, carriers will be able to circumvent the fees by swapping out all of the affected ships in the next 180 days as the fee will no longer apply on the operators’ fleet composition or prospective orders but only on ships calling at US ports on a per voyage basis. Container ships and costs for shipping containers are relevant to the chemical industry because while most chemicals are liquids and are shipped in tankers, container ships transport polymers, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are shipped in pellets. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is also shipped in containers. They also transport liquid chemicals in isotanks. LIQUID TANKER RATES HOLD STEADY US chemical tanker freight rates assessed by ICIS were steady this week with rates remaining unchanged from last week despite rates continuing to be pressured downward for several trade lanes. There is downward pressure on rates along the USG-Asia trade lane as charterers are still in wait-and-see mode, and besides contract of affreightment (COA) cargoes there is very little seen in the market. The tariffs and uncertainty continue to dampen the spot market, weighing on rates. The usual spot cargoes of methanol from Jose to China are the only ones reported, leaving methanol requirements from the region active to Asia. Similarly, rates from the USG to ARA and all other trade lanes also held steady. The spot market to Europe gained momentum with a relatively good number of inquiries following the Easter holidays.  Despite the increased interest rates remain unchanged as the clean petroleum products (CPP) market continues to remain soft, leaving those vessels to participate in the chemical sector. From the USG to Brazil, this trade lane had seen more inquiries, but there is plenty of available space for May lending downward pressure to spot rates and leaving most owners still trying to fill up prompt part space to both South American coasts for 1H May. Rates are soft and have lost some ground. The USG to India route has seen an uptick in inquiries over the last week with no confirmed fixtures. Market talk of a trade deal between the US and India have sparked some interest leaving the rates flat for the time being and expected to remain unchanged in the near term. With additional reporting by Kevin Callahan Visit the US tariffs, policy – impact on chemicals and energy topic page Visit the Logistics: Impact on chemicals and energy topic page

25-Apr-2025

LONDON (ICIS)–Senior editor for recycling Matt Tudball discusses the latest developments in the European recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) market, including: Upwards pressure on NWE colourless bales, colourless and mixed coloured flake Buyers in eastern Europe seek lower bale prices Asian food-grade pellet imports cheaper on weaker dollar

25-Apr-2025

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–A subsidiary of Sweden-based fashion retailer H&M, Syre, has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Binh Dinh province in Vietnam to build a circular textile recycling plant, the company said on Friday. Syre, a joint venture between H&M and technology investment firm Vargas, announced plans to build a Gigascale recycling plant in Binh Dinh, which will produce up to 250,000 tonnes of high-quality polyethylene terephthalate (PET) chips from textile waste. “Syre has an ambition to support Vietnam in its green transition and as a global leader in the circular textile industry,” said Dennis Nobelius, CEO of Syre. “The partnership with the Binh Dinh Province will, with the right conditions in place, be a great opportunity to jointly lead the textile shift,” Nobelius added. Investment details have not been finalized, Nobelius said. "Binh Dinh offers an excellent investment environment, being a hub for clean energy … with synchronized infrastructure … and favorable climate conditions,” said Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on 23 April. Syre is a circular textile-to-textile recycling firm with one plant in North Carolina in the US under construction, to be operational in mid-2025. The North Carolina plant will have a capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes/year of circular polyester. In 2024, Syre raised $100 million in funds to construct its plants in North Carolina and other locations such as Vietnam.

25-Apr-2025

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China is considering exempting some chemical imports from the US, including ethane, polyethylene (PE) and styrene polymers, from tariffs, according to an unofficial document obtained by ICIS on Friday. Based on the document titled "First Batch List of Reciprocal Tariff Exempted Commodities", ethane, other acyclic hydrocarbons, linear low-density PE (LLDPE) imports from the US, will be exempted from China’s announced additional 125% levies. Other proposed exemptions are PE, ethylene polymers and styrene polymers in their primary shapes. The itemized list has 131 products, including drugs, vaccines, motors and some electronic components. The list, which started making rounds in the Chinese markets late on 24 April, could not be confirmed with China Customs at the time of writing. Additional reporting by Fanny Zhang Visit the ICIS Topic Page: US tariffs, policy – impact on chemicals and energy.

25-Apr-2025

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Mexico’s chemicals fortunes seem to be turning for the better after the country was spared from the most punitive US’ import taxes, according to an executive at chemicals distributor major Ravago’s Mexican subsidiary. Pedro Escalona, sales director at Entecresins Mexico, said demand for most polymers has notably picked up in the past weeks, with order which were on hold now flowing to more optimistic customers. Among the main polymers, only polypropylene (PP) remains in the doldrums, said Escalona, haunted by low prices for the monomer. Overall though sentiment is on the up and has been so especially since 2 April, when the US announced sweeping tariffs but spared its trade partners within the USMCA free trade zone, Mexico and Canada. Prior tariffs in some sectors, however, remain, and Escalona said automotive seems for now the most problematic sector. “For the rest, people seem to start assuming Mexico will be spared from the worst possible scenario,” said Escalona. WHAT ONE MONTH CAN CHANGESpeaking to Escalona, practically everything seems to have changed in one month, with exception of PP. In an interview with ICIS during the plastics trade fair Plastimagen in Mexico City in mid-March, the Entec executive painted a doom-and-gloom picture of both chemicals and wider manufacturing, with falling prices and domestic and overseas woes mounting. As of Thursday, 24 April, this is what he had to say: “Even a month ago, or even less, even two weeks ago, there were a lot of people holding orders, saying they were unsure whether they would need the product for May, or even for June. Some large clients, while not cancelling any orders, were starting to say they may need to lower consumption going forward,” said Escalona. “But in the last few weeks, there is more confidence in general, and people are already confident in going out to make purchases. Everyone seems to be more optimistic in that we don't think anything will finally happen that will significantly affect Mexico’s economy.” A stone on the positive story, however, remains the large, petrochemicals intensive automotive sector on which US President Donald Trump had imposed tariffs prior to 2 April. Analysts have said the tariffs, in their current form, could greatly dent the sector’s competitiveness. But sources in chemicals remain optimistic Mexico could use this chance to increase its USMCA compliance, mostly related to rules of origin which would at the same increase its manufacturing stance and integrate it even more with the US economy. As the US tries to contain China’s formidable rise in global supply chains, other sources have said the US would shoot itself on the foot going against Canada and Mexico, economies which are now well integrated within the North American free trade zone. The battle should be, they said, North America as a block versus the other large trading blocs. “Automotive still has over its head a lot of uncertainty, because there are some issues that haven't been fully defined yet regarding automotive components. That's the only one that still has some uncertainty,” said Escalona. “Demand is not the best it could be, but it is not too bad either. PP is still suffering from low prices for the monomer, which is expected to fall further. But for the rest of plastics, PE [polyethylene], PS [polystyrene], and for PET [polyethylene terephthalate] there has been some notable price rises.” Escalona said that US companies must have done their important bit of lobbying to the Trump administration about how harming tariffs on Mexico could be for them, as well. The absence of Mexico and Canada on the board Trump exhibited on 2 April quickly raised the prospects that, behind the scenes, renegotiation of the USMCA deal is well underway, an assessment Escalona deemed possible. But equally, he said there may be starting to be a realization within the Trump administration that punitive, sudden import tariffs to certain countries – not least China – would deprive the US of key markets it needs to sell materials of which it is oversupplied. “[Very punitive tariffs on Mexico] Just wasn't convenient for the US. We’ll need to see what happens, but I think the US is also going to have to sit down and negotiate with China. The US is full of raw materials it exports to China – monomers such ethane, propane, benzene… That’s why prices are falling,” said Escalona. “There are many things they plan for, and the initial strategy was to renegotiate with tariffs as a pressure measure. But clearly, they are going to have to reconsider this and fine-tune several aspects.” DOMESTIC FRONT: LESS OPTIMISMWhile most analysts think Mexico has done good progress on issues key for Trump, such migration at the border and stricter measures to control fentanyl trade – a powerful drug which has caused havoc across the US – the domestic policies of President Claudia Sheinbaum remain a red flag for many chemicals players. With a declared intention to expand the welfare state, Mexico may be turning into the ‘nanny state’ which does not incentivize competitiveness, some sources said at Plastimagen. Moreover, fiscal policy has been loose under Sheinbaum’s predecessor, also from the left-leaning Morena party. The expansion in the welfare state was mostly funded by debt, and fiscal deficits were recurrent. Sheinbaum has promised to remedy that and seems more open to the necessary private investments needed in Mexico to propel it to be a key part in the nearshoring trend – North American companies bringing manufacturing facilities closer to home. But Sheinbaum has ploughed through other measures in parliament which are worrying business. Thanks to the supermajority of two thirds of seats in Parliament voters granted Morena in June 2024 – and propelled Sheinbaum to the top with 60% of popular vote – the government approved a judicial reform, which most analysts agree is to weaken the rule of law, in a country much needed of stronger rule of law. A key measure in the bill was that judges would be elected by voters, which has sparked fears the well-funded and strong organized crime will have it easier to silence the judiciary. Escalona, not impressed, said those elections for judges have started and told how he feels weird seeing advertisements by candidates on boards or media outlets. Seeing adverts to vote for judges clearly does not feel right, he came to say. “We have had plenty of politicians who were not prepared or educated for the positions they were chosen for. While it’s not optimal, it can be expected in a democracy. But the job of a judge, and in country like Mexico, is a completely different matter,” he said. “And, invariably, you can see all kinds of people running to be judges. It’s tremendous. We’ll need to see how this pans out, but everyone seems to agree that this will weaken the rule of law – and that is not good for economic development and stability." Interview article by Jonathan López Clarification: Re-casts subsidiary name in paragraph two. Entec Polymers, as written previously, is Ravago's subsidiary in the US

24-Apr-2025

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The chemical industry is facing demand-stifling tariffs just as it is in one of its longest downturns in decades, the CEO of US-based Dow said on Thursday. Dow expects Q2 sales will be about $10.4 billion, down from $10.9 billion reported in Q2 2024. The company has intensified its cost cutting measures, announced 1,500 job cuts and delayed its Path2Zero project in Canada. "The reality is our industry is in one of the most protracted down cycles in decades, facing the third consecutive year of below 3% GDP growth," said Dow CEO Jim Fitterling. He made his comments during an earnings conference call. "This has been further exacerbated by geopolitical and macroeconomic concerns, which are weighing on demand globally." Dow highlighted tariffs, which will delay when the chemical industry returns to mid-cycle earnings, said Jeff Tate, Dow chief financial officer. Those tariffs could change trade flows, and could squeeze Dow's margins. Tighter margins could partially offset the benefits from demand, which Dow still expects will rise. TARIFFS DELAYING PURCHASES, STIFLING DEMANDThe tariffs have caused customers and consumers to delay purchases, Fitterling said. "We're just in an environment right now where in the marketplace, if you look at downstream demand, it doesn't matter if it's a consumer or one of our customers or somebody in the B2B world, they're all just kind of taking a wait and see approach. And that has that has an impact on what we think the long term," he said. "Right now, all this activity on tariffs is just stifling the demand." HIGH US MORTGAGE RATES DELAYING HOUSING RECOVERYElevated interest rates for home loans have made housing less affordable for consumers. As a result, home sales have remained depressed, and has dragged down demand for paints, coatings, polyurethanes and other chemical products used in house construction. The slump in house sales is also lowering demand for appliances, furniture and other durable goods because consumers tend to buy these when they move. Fewer home sales mean fewer moves. Tate noted that March marked the 14th consecutive month of year-on-year declines in building permits. SLOWER GROWTH IN AUTO DEMANDGrowth in automobile demand and the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) are slowing, said Karen Carter, Dow chief operating officer. The spike that took place in the US in March was the result of consumers making purchases before tariffs kicked in. China is relying on incentives to prop up its market. In the EU, February new car registrations fell by their largest amount since September 2024. PHARMACEUTICALS, DATA CENTERS REMAIN BRIGHT SPOTSDow continues to see pockets of growth in pharmaceuticals and data centers. Electronics and personal care applications have proven to be resilient end market for the company's Performance Materials & Coatings segment. Q2 OUTLOOKThe following table summarizes Dow's Q2 outlook. (Thumbnail shows polyethylene, a product made by Dow. Image by ICIS.)

24-Apr-2025

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Here are some of the stories from ICIS Latin America for the fortnight ended on 18 April. NEWS Brazil's chemicals production in ‘free fall’ as idle capacity hits 40%Brazil's chemicals industry is facing its worst performance in 30 years, with the producing companies in the sector operating at just 60% of installed capacity during January and February, the country’s trade group Abiquim said. Mexico must do homework on USMCA compliance, set policy to prop up nearshoring – Evonik execMexico breathed a sigh of relief when the US spared it from very punitive tariffs, but the country should not turn complacent and use this as a catalyst to step up compliance with rules of origin clauses contained in the North America free trade deal USMCA, according to the director for Mexico at German chemicals major Evonik. US tariffs spark fears in Chile about even higher industrial goods importsUS import tariffs on China and other Asian countries are increasing fears in Chile that even higher amounts of imports will dent domestic plastics and wider manufacturing producers’ competitiveness, according to the CEO at the country’s plastics trade group Asipla. INSIGHT: Argentina’s chemicals remain uninvited to the recovery partyArgentina’s chemicals sector remains in the doldrums, with output in the first quarter lower year on year, according to sources, who are increasingly turning pessimistic about manufacturing’s prospects amid the push for economic liberalization. Brazil's inflation rises to 5.5% in March, further tightening expectedBrazil's annual rate of inflation rose to 5.5% in March, year on year, the highest level in more than two years and up from 5.1% in February, the country’s statics office said on Friday. Argentina’s chemicals, plastics output keeps falling but manufacturing, construction upArgentina’s chemicals and plastics output continued falling in February, year on year, but petrochemicals-intensive activity in construction and overall manufacturing rose, according to the country’s statistics office Indec. Argentina’s annual inflation down to 56%; monthly price rises accelerateArgentina’s annual rate of inflation fell in March to 55.9%, down from 65.9% in February, the country’s statistics office said on Friday. Argentina’s IMF bailout confirmed after Milei returns from Washington; tariffs deal more elusiveWhen President Javier Milei of Argentina travelled to Washington last week, most analysts expected him to return with an IMF bailout agreed and ready. On Wednesday, the Fund confirmed a bail out for Argentina for the second time in four years, affirming analyst expectations. PRICINGLatAm PP spot domestic prices lower in Brazil on ample supply, weak demandSpot domestic polypropylene (PP) prices were assessed lower in Brazil on ample supply and weak demand. In other Latin American countries, prices were steady. LatAm PE domestic prices fall in Brazil, Mexico on ample supply, soft demandDomestic polyethylene (PE) prices fell in Brazil and Mexico while being unchanged in other Latin American (LatAm) countries.

21-Apr-2025

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 17 April. Europe PE endures week of tariff chaos, emerges with softer outlookThe European polyethylene (PE) market has suffered a week of tariff-based turmoil, which resulted in a significant shift in market sentiment. Low river Rhine severely restricts chemical shipping, rates riseDry weather conditions are starving the river Rhine of water, restricting its use for chemicals traffic and pushing up shipping rates, with no improvement forecast until later in April. Europe MPG players say seasonal improvement unlikelyEuropean monopropylene glycol (MPG) sellers do not see any respite from tough market conditions as the construction sector is struggling, arbitrage with Asia is wide and US tariffs are creating uncertainties through the value chain. INSIGHT: Europe chems players move to the side lines on tariff upheavalThe market volatility following the intensification of tariff threats has cast a pall over European chemicals sector activity, with players avoiding committing to long-term orders if possible in the face of demand uncertainty and currency volatility.

21-Apr-2025

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Newly announced port fees by the US Trade Representative (USTR) are less substantial than the proposal from February, but a shipping analyst expects vessel supply to decrease and rates to climb on certain routes. Theodor Gerrard-Anderson, chemical freight analyst at Lighthouse Chartering, said that most bulk liquid shipowners will not be affected by the USTR’s final plan for port fees on China-linked vessels, but major Chinese operators will see impacts from Annex I. And despite exemptions in Annex II, Gerrard-Anderson anticipates tighter vessel supply and higher rates for vessels transiting the US Gulf. Annexes I and II from the USTR’s final plan are the applicable sections for the bulk liquid transportation market. The effects from Annex I, which focuses on service fees on Chinese vessel operators and vessel owners of China, will be impacted as many of these owners have established a meaningful presence in the US market and maintain large contract of affreightment (COA) portfolios for trading specialty chems and bulk liquid cargoes, Gerrard-Anderson said. Annex II, which essentially impacts the rest of the bulk liquid transportation market, includes exemptions for tankers less than 80,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) even if they are built in China, and for ships on short sea trades of less than 2,000 nautical miles. Special purpose-built vessels for the transport of chemical substances in bulk liquid forms will not be charged. Another exemption, designed to help maintain US exports, is that ships arriving ballast will not be charged to ensure tonnage is available for export. Analysts at shipping broker NETCO said that most vessels in their segment are exempt under Annex II. On the container shipping side, the softening of the fee structure reduces the risk of severe port congestion and could ease overall upward pressure on freight rates, according to an analyst at ocean and freight rate analytics firm Xeneta. Emily Stausbøll, Xeneta senior shipping analyst, said it is significant that the final proposal has fees levied on a net tonnage basis per US voyage, rather than cumulative fees for every port the ship calls at. "We must look carefully at the potential impact of the revised port fees, but changes will be welcomed by the ocean container shipping industry given the significant criticism levelled at the initial proposal during the public hearing,” Stausbøll said. “The fact fees will not be imposed on every port call is particularly important because it lowers the risk of congestion had carriers decided to cut the number of calls on each service into the US,” Stausbøll said. “This port congestion had the potential to cause severe disruption and upward pressure on freight rates.” Stausbøll said costs could still be very high for Chinese carriers and carriers operating Chinese-built vessels – particularly for ships with the largest capacity. "The latest announcement should still be viewed in the context of the original proposal, which offered dire consequences,” Stausbøll said. “The situation has changed for the better, but it isn't a great victory for the ocean container shipping industry because these fees still add further pressure at a time when businesses are already trying to navigate the spiraling tariffs announced by the Trump Administration." Container ships and costs for shipping containers are relevant to the chemical industry because while most chemicals are liquids and are shipped in tankers, container ships transport polymers, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are shipped in pellets. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is also shipped in containers. They also transport liquid chemicals in isotanks.

18-Apr-2025

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The US is taking steps that could lead to tariffs on imports of up to 50 critical minerals, many of which are used to make catalysts for key processes used by refiners and chemical producers. If the US ends up imposing the tariffs on the critical minerals, then they would take the place of the reciprocal tariffs. REFINING CATALYSTS AND AROMATICS MARKETSFluorspar is used to make hydrofluoric acid, a catalyst used in alkylation units. These units convert isobutane and propylene into alkylate, a high-octane blendstock. Cerium and lanthanum are used to make catalysts for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) units. These units convert gas oils into gasoline and refinery grade propylene (RGP). If the US imposes tariffs on these catalysts and if the tariffs cause large enough price increases, then refiners could alter their operations to reduce their costs. If refiners lower alkylation operating rates, they may rely on other high-octane blendstock such as toluene or mixed xylenes (MX). Changes in alkylation and FCC rates would concurrently affect supply and demand for RGP. ANTIMONY AND PETChinese restrictions on antimony already have led producers to propose price increases for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which relies on the mineral as a catalyst. If the US imposes tariffs on antimony, then it would further increase prices from the other countries that export the mineral to the US. BISMUTH AND POLYURETHANESBismuth is used as a catalyst for making polyurethanes. One such bismuth-based catalyst won an innovation award. OTHER CATALYSTSIridium, neodymium, rhodium, ruthenium, ytterbium and yttrium are all used to make catalysts, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Palladium and platinum are used in catalytic converters in automobiles. TIO2 AND PAINTS MARKETSThe US also considers titanium and zirconium as critical minerals. It is unclear if the US would impose tariffs on titanium metal or titanium oxide. However, the US list of critical minerals implies that the tariffs could include titanium oxide. Titanium oxide is the feedstock that is used to make titanium dioxide (TiO2), a white pigment that is used to make paints opaque. Producers of paints and coatings are already facing higher costs from US tariffs on steel. In 2023, Sherwin-Williams estimates that plastic and metal containers made up 15% of its product's costs. A tariff on titanium oxide would further increase costs for paints and coatings producers. Zirconium is a byproduct of processing mineral sands that contain titanium. TiO2 producers Tronox and Chemours operate such mines. Tronox's are in Australia and South Africa, and Chemours has mines in the US states of Florida and Georgia. FLUORSPAR AND FLUOROMATERIALSFluorspar is also the upstream feedstock for fluorochemicals and fluoropolymers. Polyurethane foams use fluorochemicals as blowing agents. Fluoropolymers include Teflon. These are becoming increasingly important in 5G equipment, semiconductor fabrication plants and lithium-ion batteries. Fluoropolymers are also used as membranes in hydrogen fuel cells and chlor-alkali plants. BARITE, CESIUM USED IN OIL PRODUCTIONBarite is used to make drilling mud. Cesium is used to make cesium formate drilling fluids, which are used by oil and gas producers. FLAME RETARDANTSAluminum and antimony are used to make flame retardants. INVESTIGATION TO PRECEDE ANY TARIFFSBefore the US imposes any tariffs on critical minerals, it will conduct an investigation under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The US has used that section to impose tariffs on other products such as steel and aluminium. The scope of the investigation will include the 50 minerals deemed critical by the USGS, processed critical minerals and derivative products. Derivative products include semi-finished goods and final products "such as permanent magnets, motors, electric vehicles, batteries, smartphones, microprocessors, radar systems, wind turbines and their components and advanced optical devices", according to the order. The secretary of commerce will have 180 days to submit a final report of the investigation to the president. Recommendations will include tariffs and policies the US could adopt that would promote more production of critical minerals. LIST OF CRITICAL MINERALSThe following table shows the minerals that the US considers critical. Aluminium Magnesium Antimony Manganese Arsenic Neodymium Barite Nickel Beryllium Niobium Bismuth Palladium Cerium Platinum Cesium Praseodymium Chromium Rhodium Cobalt Rubidium Dysprosium Ruthenium Erbium Samarium Europium Scandium Fluorspar Tantalum Gadolinium Tellurium Gallium Terbium Germanium Thulium Graphite Tin Hafnium Titanium Holmium Tungsten Indium Vanadium Iridium Ytterbium Lanthanum Yttrium Lithium Zinc Lutetium Zirconium Source: USGS Insight article by Al Greenwood (Thumbnail shows a fuel pump that dispenses gasoline, which relies on critical minerals for production. Image by Shutterstock.)

17-Apr-2025