Manganese dioxide sees potential impact from US tariffs

SHANGHAI, Jul 16 (SMM) – Almost all manganese-related products will be covered in the list of $200 billion worth of Chinese goods that the US President Donald Trump sought to add tariffs.

This includes electrolytic manganese metal, manganese alloys, manganese oxide, manganese dioxide and other manganese products. However, only manganese dioxide is likely be more affected due to its export volumes to the US, SMM expects.

In 2017, China exported 472,400 mt of manganese products excluding alloys and oxides. About 4.3%, or 20,500 mt, went to the US.

While no data is available, sources told SMM that they expect to see an “apparent” impact on manganese dioxide if the tariffs become effective.

Existing tariffs have already limited exports of manganese alloys.