【Graphite Electrode】Tariff "Blow  Strikes Again? The U.S. Market Was Already Left Out in the Cold

On April 3, 2025, the United States announced reciprocal tariffs on multiple countries. Among them, Chinese goods were subjected to an additional 34% tariff. Combined with the previous 20% tariff imposed due to the fentanyl issue, Chinese exports to the U.S. now face a total tariff barrier of up to 54%. What impact will this have on China's graphite electrode industry?

The U.S. Holds a Marginal Position in China's Graphite Electrode Export Structure

Previously, the U.S. had already launched a series of trade investigations against Chinese-produced graphite electrodes and ultimately decided to impose an additional duty of up to 25.0%. Furthermore, for small-diameter graphite electrodes (products with a diameter under 400 mm), an additional anti-dumping duty of 159.64% was levied. Under such high anti-dumping duties, the price advantage of Chinese graphite electrodes in the U.S. market has long disappeared. Chinese manufacturers have already given up any illusions about the "unprofitable" U.S. market. The U.S.'s renewed tariff imposition is akin to pouring another bucket of cold water onto an already extinguished fire.

According to statistics, China's total export volume of graphite electrodes to the U.S. in 2024 was 11,800 tons, accounting for only 3.88% of China's total graphite electrode exports. 

This is a relatively small proportion, placing the U.S. market on the periphery of China's export structure. Therefore, even in extreme circumstances—such as needing to reduce or completely cease graphite electrode exports to the U.S.—the impact on China's overall graphite electrode exports would remain limited.

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