US Department of Commerce Issues Final Determination in Chinese Graphite Anti-Dumping Investigation
Ruling Confirms Unfair Trade Practices and Finds Chinese Producers are Violating Anti-Dumping Rules. U.S.-Imposed Tariffs on Chinese Natural Graphite Anode Material Increased to Approximately 220%
CENTENNIAL, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Westwater Resources, Inc. (NYSE American: WWR), an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company (“Westwater” or the “Company”), announced today that the U.S. Department of Commerce (“DOC”) issued its final determination in the anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations of graphite-based anode materials imported from the People’s Republic of China.
DOC Final Determination: ~220% total tariffs/duties on Chinese natural graphite anode material
The DOC’s preliminary determinations in 2025 imposed countervailing and anti-dumping duties of 11.58% and 93.5%, respectively. In its final determination released on February 11, 2026, the DOC increased the countervailing duty rate to 66.68% and maintained the anti-dumping duty rate at 93.5%.
The Company estimates total penalties on Chinese natural graphite anode material U.S. imports now total approximately 220%:
- IEEPA tariff: 10%
- Section 301 tariffs: 25%
- Section 232 tariffs: 25%
- DOC countervailing duties: 66.68% (previously 11.58%)
- DOC anti-dumping duties: 93.5%
TOTAL tariffs/duties: ~220.18%
The DOC’s final determination follows a year-long investigation into alleged subsidization of Chinese anode material producers and pricing practices affecting the U.S. market. It remains subject to a final affirmative injury determination by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”), which is expected in March 2026. If the ITC issues a final affirmative decision, then the DOC duties will remain in effect for a minimum of five years in accordance with applicable U.S. trade law.
The Company believes the combined effect of these trade measures could further increase demand for U.S.-produced natural graphite anode material from buyers within a variety of lithium-ion battery markets including electric vehicles, battery energy storage systems, defense and others.
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US Department of Commerce Issues Final Determination in Chinese Graphite Anti-Dumping Investigation, source
